Dylon James Sotelo-Camacho and Lorenza Luisa Garcia arrested in connection to March 31 robbery
By Sam Catanzaro
Santa Monica police recently arrested two suspects wanted for a North of Montana purse-snatching robbery.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), on March 31 around 7:15 p.m., dispatchers received a 911 call about an armed robbery that just occurred near 25th Street and Alta Avenue. The 911 caller provided a description of the suspect vehicle, a red Ford Mustang, and its last known direction of travel.
“Officers learned that a victim was walking in the area when the Ford Mustang pulled up alongside of her. The male passenger pulled out a handgun, demanded the victim’s belongings, then fled with her purse,” the SMPD said.
Minutes later, SMPD officers spotted a red Ford Mustang at the Chevron in the area of 5th Street and Wilshire Boulevard, before it drove off. According to the SMPD, the license plate on the vehicle showed it was stolen. The vehicle was seen again at another Chevron (1732 Lincoln Boulebard.). Police say upon contact, the two occupants fled on foot. The female driver, later identified as 35-year-old Lorenza Luisa Garcia, was immediately apprehended. Garcia was in possession of the victim’s wallet.
According to the SMPD, the male passenger jumped a wall into the alley. A perimeter was established and a SWAT call-out was initiated. A short time later, SMPD officers were alerted that a male was hiding under a blanket outside a nearby apartment building. The male suspect, later identified as 22-year-old Dylon James Sotelo-Camacho, was taken into custody without incident.
Inside the red Ford Mustang, officers located the victim’s purse and a black Glock replica handgun.
Sotelo-Camacho and Garcia both from Riverside, were booked for robbery, conspiracy and resisting arrest.
