An alert resident who lives in apartment complex in the 800 block off Euclid in Santa Monica helped in the arrest of two gang members on Saturday, June 23 after the resident heard noises in the subterranean garage. When the resident was leaving his apartment shortly after 2 a.m., he saw two suspects inside the garage holding several items he believed were stolen from various parked vehicles.
Officer responded to the area at 2:21 a.m. and came across the suspects matching the description given by a witness in the 1400 block of California.
One suspect was immediately detained, while the second suspect fled. A perimeter was established and a helicopter assisted when the second suspect was detained after emerging from a property in the 1100 block of 15th Street.
During the investigation, officers learned that the resident yelled out at the suspects who dropped the items they were carrying and ran. The witness called police and the suspects were detained.
Officers found four vehicles in the garage that had been broken into. The victims were contacted and reports were taken. Evidence was recovered and the suspects were identified by the witness.
SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis said one of the victim vehicles was spray painted with “SMG” (Santa Monica Gang).
“Both suspects are also known gang members affiliated with the same gang,” Lewis said. “The suspects were transported to the Santa Monica Jail where they were booked for the below listed charges.”
The first suspect was Taylor M Olivarez, a 23-year-old Hispanic who is a resident of Santa Monica. Olivarez was charged with burglary, gang enhancement, felony vandalism, resist/obstructing an officer, and violation of probation. No bail was provided.
The second suspect was Allen M Juarez, an 18-year-old Hispanic who is homeless in Santa Monica. Juarez with charged with burglary, felony vandalism, and gang enhancement. Bail was set at $90,000.
