After a wave of business burglaries across the City this past week, including six window smash robberies on Montana Avenue since last Wednesday, Santa Monica police have a suspect in custody that they believe to be involved in at least one of the crimes.
SMPD Sgt. Jay Moroso said officers arrested suspect Ronald Perkins, 55, mid-morning Thursday near Dodger Stadium.
“(Perkins) is wanted in connection with at least one if not several of the burglaries,” Moroso said.
“We’re pretty sure that he’s the main culprit, however we don’t know if there are others out there doing this also. Although he’s in custody, we will continue with our investigation.”
The wave of break-ins on Montana Avenue started last Wednesday morning, Nov. 6 at about 1:30 am at Number One Beauty at 1426 Montana.
Four other stores were then robbed between 1 am and 7 am on Friday, Nov. 8 at Citron (1615 Montana), Semi-Precious (1028 Montana), Palmetto (1034 Montana), and Andrew’s Cheese Shop (728 Montana).
Earlier this week on Monday, at 4:53 am, Classy Chic at 1624 Montana was also robbed.
After gaining entry by smashing the glass in the front door, designer leather goods were stolen with a retail value estimated at about $4,000 from this pop-up store, according to North of Montana Association Co Vice-Chair Patricia Bauer, in a letter to NOMA members.
Bauer said merchants reported that the suspect(s) broke through a door or window to gain access to their stores, and made away with between $100 and $200 in cash each time.
“We’d like to alert everyone to be aware and vigilant of what is going on around you,” Bauer said.
Bauer said Montana merchants were saying that this was the largest sweep of burglaries on stores along the avenue that anyone can remember over the past 30 years.
“Several said they are concerned that criminals are targeting the neighborhood because Santa Monica Police Department staffing patterns are concentrating patrols in downtown areas, away from Montana Avenue,” Bauer said.
Moroso said several other window smash burglaries were reported across the City in the past week at locations away from Montana Avenue.
These include Omar’s Exotic Birds at 3301 Wilshire Boulevard on Nov. 9 at 2:30 am, a hair salon at 2432 Lincoln Boulevard on Nov. 10 at 4:15 am, and Blue Sparrow Clothing at 2808 Main Street on Nov. 10 at 4:30 am.
Residents are advised to notify police promptly if they notice anything suspicious. Dial 911 in an emergency; otherwise, the Santa Monica Police Department’s non-emergency number is 310.458.8491.
Smash & Grab Break-Ins
11/6 1:30 am Number One Beauty, 1426 Montana Ave.
11/8 1:48 am Semi-Precious, 1028 Montana Ave.
11/8 1:48 am Palmetto, 1034 Montana Ave.
11/8 2:02 am Andrew’s Cheese Shop, 728 Montana Ave.
11/8 6:50 am Citron, 1615 Montana Ave.
11/9 2:30 am Omar’s Exotic Birds, 3301 Wilshire Blvd.
11/10 4:15 am Hair salon, 2432 Lincoln Blvd.
11/10 4:30 am Blue Sparrow Clothing, 2808 Main St.
11/11 4:53 am Classy Chic, 1624 Montana Ave.
