A Whittier man suspected of attacking a female in a Santa Monica office elevator in July has been arrested with bail set at $135,000.
Santa Monica police arrested 23-year-old Anthony Tigran Arutunian in the early morning hours of Thursday, Oct. 25 after he exited his residence. Just two days earlier, the Department of Justice DNA databank connected him to the scene using evidence collected by investigators.
The attack took place at about 9 a.m. on July 11 when the female victim arrived for work located on Santa Monica Boulevard in the downtown area and parked her vehicle in the building’s subterranean garage.
SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis said the victim entered the building’s elevator at which time the suspect, emerged from an unknown location and entered the elevator with her.
“Once the elevator doors closed, the suspect physically attacked the victim,” Sgt. Lewis said. “The victim fought back and the suspect eventually ran out of the elevator when the doors opened on the ground floor.”
On Monday, Oct. 29, investigators presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office at the LAX Courthouse.
The District Attorney’s Office filed one count of assault with intent to commit a felony and attempted robbery with bail set at $135,000.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Phillip DeRyck at 310.458.8944, Sergeant Darrick Jacob at 310.458.8460 or the Santa Monica Police Department (24 hours) at 310.458.8495.
