Four suspects have been arrest regarding two robberies, one of which left a 16-year-old Santa Monica student stabbed in the face. The other robbery involved a Santa Monica College student, but resulted in no injury.
On Oct 21, at 10 p.m. near 47th Street and Main Street, Santa Monica Police Department detectives pulled over a vehicle based on a partial plate number and vehicle description to the one used in the robbery incidents. After finding stolen items from the crimes, officers arrested 18-year-old Mary Montes; 20-year-old Crystal Marquez, and 28 year-old Roberto Rodriquez. Police also arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile, who is also a Los Angeles resident. All were Hispanic Los Angeles residents and were charged with gang related crimes, as well as crimes including assault with a deadly weapon and robbery.
Earlier that morning shortly after 9 a.m., the 16-year-old Santa Monica High School student parked her car on the 2000 block of Sixth Street and began walking, when a vehicle drove up to her and one of the arrested female suspected allegedly exited the vehicle, approached the victim, and demanded her belongings.
Earlier in the week, another Santa Monica High School student was injured in a suspected gang-related shooting. With two gang incidents in one week, Santa Monica Police have increased their presence in and around Samohi campus.
As the suspect reached for the items, the victim blocked her hand. The suspect struck the victim in the face with a sharp object resulting in a quarter inch puncture wound. The suspect then fled the area with the victim’s belongings. The victim was treated at a local hospital and released.
Ten minutes later, the female Santa Monica College student was walking near the intersection of Euclid Street and Michigan Avenue when a similar scenario occurred: A vehicle approached, a female exited and demanded the belongings, while displaying a knife. The suspect obtained the items and fled to the vehicle. The vehicle left the area.
The victim did not immediately report the crime, which is why initial reports on the stabbing did not include this second incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Hee Seok Ahn at 310.458.8452 or Sergeant Robert Almada at 310.458.8486 or the Santa Monica Police Department (24 hours) at 310.458.8495.
