Money Over Everythin Except Me
On 23-year-old Anthony Tigran Arutunian’s Twitter profile, his bio reads “MONEY OVER EVERYTHIN [sic] EXCEPT ME.” Arutunian was arrested October 25th for putting money over himself after DNA evidence revealed that he was responsible for assaulting a Santa Monica woman in an attempt to rob her.
On July 11th, the female victim arrived at a subterranean garage in the downtown area of Santa Monica Boulevard so that she could attend work. The victim was entering the building’s elevator when the suspect emerged from an unknown location and entered with her.
Anthony Tigran Arutunian's fought with his victim, but his injuries were from his efforts to resist arrest
Once the doors closed, the suspect assaulted the victim. She fought back, and the suspect fled once the elevator doors opened to the ground floor.
After the assault, investigators gathered DNA evidence and sent it to the Los Angeles County Crime Lab. On October 23rd, the results revealed that the suspect was listed in the Department of Justice DNA Criminal Databank. The suspect was revealed as Arutunian, who resided in Whittier.
In the early morning hours of October 25th, officers from the Santa Monica Police Department observed Arutunian exit his residence and arrested him a short distance from his house. According to Santa Monica PIO Sgt. Richard Lewis, Arutunian initially resisted arrest, which resulted in the scars and bruises above his right eye.
“No officers were injured and he was treated and released for booking the same morning,” said Sgt. Lewis.
On October 29th, the District Attorney’s Office charged Arutunian with assault with intent to commit a felony and attempted robbery. His bail was 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.
Read More:
KABC: DNA evidence leads to Santa Monica assault suspect’s arrest
Santa Monica Mirror: Santa Monica Police Arrest Whittier Man Suspected Of Female Elevator Assault
Santa Monica Patch: Suspect Arrested in Connection With Alleged Elevator Attack
