Alex Omar Aguirre arrested by Santa Monica Police Department
By Sam Catanzaro
A Santa Monica resident this week watched as a parolee attempted to steal his car before setting a fire inside another vehicle nearby, all in broad daylight.
According to Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Lieutenant Rudy Flores, on February 23, 2021 at about 2:15 p.m., officers responded to area of 23rd Street and Dewey Street regarding a male trying to set a vehicle on fire.
“Details of the call indicated the male was attempting to light an item stuffed in the gas tank of the reporting party’s vehicle,” Flores said.
Officers arrived on scene and were directed to the subject, later identified as Alex Omar Aguirre, a 28-year-old Hispanic male from Los Angeles, according to police. Officers could see Aguirre leaning into the car window of a separate vehicle, rummaging through the contents of that car, which had smoke emitting from the inside compartment. At this point, officers called for the Santa Monica Fire Department (SMPD) before detaining Aguirre.
While detaining the suspect, officers spoke with the victim to gather details about the incident.
“The reporting party told officers that he saw Aguirre trying to pick the lock of his vehicle before he confronted him. He also noticed that there was a burning rag stuffed into the filler of the gas tank. He was able to extinguish the fire before calling 9-1-1. The victim watched as the suspect attempted to flee in the vehicle, he eventually ignited, however it appeared Aguirre was having trouble starting that car. Aguirre then exited the vehicle before being detained by officers,” Flores said.
Aguirre was placed under arrest and was transported to the SMPD headquarters, where officers discovered he was on parole. Officers also learned that the second vehicle Aguirre set on fire was an unreported stolen car from Los Angeles.
Aguirre was booked for Attempt Burglary, Arson, Grand Theft Auto and Parole Violation.
Anyone with any information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective David Chabot from Criminal Investigations Division (CID) of the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-6679 or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.
