SANTA MONICA – When simply parking your car on the street morphs into one of your worst nightmares – how does it turn out? Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Investigators are executing the unpredictable nature of this episode.
A man parked his car in broad daylight on the 2600 block of 34th Street, at 2PM on Monday 11/15/2021. Immediately thereafter, a black sedan stopped directly in front of him.
“The front passenger of that vehicle walked to the victim’s vehicle, pulled out a handgun and demanded the victim’s cellphone and wallet,” said Santa Monica PD. “Fearing for his life, the victim gave him both.”
The suspect returned to the vehicle – which SMPD described on November 18th as “Newer black Nissan Versa (or similar) 4-door sedan with dark tinted windows, black and chrome wheels.” The vehicle immediately fled the scene.
Stripped of his wallet and phone, with no way to alert law enforcement – the victim took matters into his own hands and gave chase. While law enforcement does not recommend this tactic, under any circumstances – the suspect followed the suspects.
As the robbers’ vehicle travelled eastbound on Pico Blvd., the passenger leaned out of the window and fired at the victim. Multiple rounds were discharged on the city streets.
Undeterred, the victim continued his dangerous pursuit until the robbers vanished near the I10 Freeway on-ramp at Centinela Avenue.
Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Detectives commenced an immediate armed-robbery investigation. The public’s help has been enlisted via social media with the following details provided:
Suspect 1: Passenger – Male White or Hispanic, late twenties, straight shoulder-length brown hair, brown or grey eyes, wearing a hoodie and a black bandana that covered the lower half of his face;
Suspect 2: Driver – Unknown
Should you have any information pertaining to this incident, the suspects, or the getaway vehicle involved, you are strongly encouraged to contact Detective Tavera at 310-458-2256 or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8426.
