July 17, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

APB: The Latest from Santa Monica Police Department:

Over Stimulated.

On Wednesday, October 12, at 6:16 p.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department were called out to investigate a case of indecent exposure that had occurred in the 2800 block of Ocean Front Walk. As the officers were en route to the location they were informed that a witness had seen the suspect fully expose his genitals and also touch and manipulate the genitals in a way that could be described as “self stimulating.” When the officers arrived at the location they spoke with the witness who pointed the suspect out to the officers. The witness was desirous of a prosecution so the officers arrested this 48-year-old homeless man and he was charged with indecent exposure. Bail was set at $10,000.

Drug Taking.

On Wednesday, October 12, at 1:35 a.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department received a radio call requesting them to attend an audible burglar alarm at Drugtown Pharmacy, located at 802 Seventh Street. The officers drove to the location and when they arrived they noticed that the front glass door had been smashed and that the pharmacy had been ransacked with the cash register broken and merchandise strewn all over the store. The owner arrived at the pharmacy and after inspecting the stock told the officers that several items, including pharmaceuticals, were missing from the store. The officers secured the store and as they were doing so other officers conducted a traffic stop a few blocks away involving a vehicle that was suspected of being involved in the burglary. The officers searched this car and discovered numerous items that were consistent with items that the pharmacy owner had informed the officers had been taken from the store. All of these items were recovered and the three occupants of the car, a 25-year-old male Van Nuys resident, and two 20-year-old Van Nuys residents were arrested and charged with burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime. Bail for each was set at $20,000.

Wild Surf.

On Friday, October 14, at 6:01 p.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department received a radio call informing them that a woman was present at Surf Liquor, located at 2522 Main Street and that this woman was behaving erratically and swinging a knife at staff members. The officers rushed to the location and upon arrival they saw the woman in question inside the store. The officers noticed that this woman was, at that time, yelling and swearing at a store employee as well as the officers themselves. The officers gave the suspect multiple commands to comply with their orders for her to calm down and eventually this woman did as she was told and was taken into custody without further ado. The officers then interviewed the staff members who told the officers that this woman had entered the store and had proceeded to attempt to solicit money from several customers. The staff member added that none of the customers was willing to donate any money to this woman. He continued to tell the officers that the woman then picked up numerous items that were on offer for sale and that she put the items into her pockets. The staff member said that he had confronted this woman about these items and that she had reacted by removing a knife from her pocket and had started to swing said knife at him while simultaneously yelling at him. The suspect refused to identify herself at the scene but the officers arrested this woman and she was later identified at the Santa Monica Jail. This 23-year-old homeless woman was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and bail was set at $70,000.

Man At Apple Watched.

On Friday, October 14, at 9:58 p.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department were requested to attend the Apple Store, located at 1415 Third Street Promenade in order to investigate a possible theft suspect who was being detained at the location by loss prevention agents employed by the store. Upon arrival at The Apple store the officers met with the suspect and the loss prevention agents. The officers spoke with the loss prevention agents who told them that they had noticed the suspect enter the store and had (due to their loss prevention agent training) deduced by the suspect’s body language that this person could possibly be intent on committing a crime. The loss prevention officers discretely watched as this man walked towards the Apple Watches display area. The loss prevention agents told the officers that this suspect then selected several Apple watches and conceal them upon his person. The suspect then exited the store and it was outside the store that the loss prevention agents apprehended this 44-year-old Santa Monica resident. All of the merchandise was recovered and the police were then summoned. The officers arrested this man and he was taken to jail where he was charged with theft before being released on $1,000 bail.

Editor’s Note: These reports are part of a regular police coverage series entitled “Alert Police Blotter” (APB), which injects some minor editorial into certain police activities in Santa Monica. Not all of The Mirror’s coverage of incidents involving police are portrayed in this manner. More serious crimes and police-related activities are regularly reported without editorial in the pages of the Santa Monica Mirror and its website, smmirror.com.

in News
<>Related Posts

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...

Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly Exporting Electronics to Iran

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Ostovari, identified as the CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm, allegedly orchestrated the scheme since 2018  A 66-year-old Santa Monica...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Film Review: Jurassic World: Rebirth

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“The story is simplistic and predictive, and that’s all it needs to be, because the age-old battle to survive the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

SM.a.r.t.Column: Does the Rand Corporation have a future in Santa Monica?

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“Although no one said it outright, it is clear to all that RAND is feeling—and will continue to feel—the impact...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...