PACIFIC PALISADES—At about 7:20 on July 16, a man fled officers from the Los Angeles Police Department West Los Angeles Division who were enforcing a felony warrant in a parking lot near Sunset Boulevard in the Pacific Palisades around 7:21 a.m. KTLA 5 first reported.

After reaching Will Rogers State Beach, the suspect entered the Pacific Ocean and started swimming towards Santa Monica but was arrested. Lifeguards entered the water on rescue boards to assess his condition.

In a video available on Facebook, the suspect, who had black hair and was wearing a darkish blue shirt and no pants, is seen being surrounded by two lifeguards lying on their boards, holding flotation devices.  The suspect treaded water, as the lifeguards spoke to him. The Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division rescue boat and a boat belonging to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was also present on the scene.

The suspect swam approximately a mile out to sea.

About an hour and a half later, he was still treading water. Lifeguards left their boards and entered the water to help him. As they tried to secure a flotation device around the suspect, he struggled against them.  The lifeguards which were joined by another from the LA County Lifeguard boat, secured the device around the suspect, allowing them to bring him toward the LASD boat.

The deputy onboard helped the first two lifeguards lift the suspect out of the water and take him into custody, while the third lifeguard returned to his boat.

The investigation is ongoing. No details on the suspect’s name have been disclosed to the public.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica has started using AI-equipped cameras mounted on top of city parking enforcement vehicles to automatically detect cars obstructing bike lanes. Santa Monica’s Traffic Services Division partnered with the San Francisco-based company Hayden AI to implement the solution.

Seven city vehicles are currently fitted with the company’s vision AI platform, which uses camera systems and computer vision to detect potential violations and capture images.

The technology still requires a human enforcement officer to review and verify each violation before a fine is issued. Each violation results in a $93 fine, a policy that took effect on July 1, 2026, after a 60-day warning period that began May 1. Payment plans are available for low-income residents.

Santa Monica first piloted the program in May 2024 on two vehicles, logging nearly 1,700 violations in six weeks. The idea behind the project is to make city streets safer for cyclists, who are often forced to swerve into vehicle traffic when drivers illegally park in bike lanes. Since the citation phase began in July, the city issued roughly 50 tickets and several hundred warnings, according to a city spokesperson.

The seven-vehicle expansion cost the city $944,000, part of a broader $1.6 million package that also covered automated enforcement and transit tracking. The funding comes from Measure K, a ballot measure that Santa Monica voters approved in November 2024, which raised the city’s Parking Facility Tax on privately owned parking lots from 10 percent to 18 percent.

The tax specifically excludes city-owned lots and structures and is expected to generate about $6.7 million a year. The ballot language stated that the revenue was intended to enhance public safety, create safe routes to school, reduce the risk of fatal traffic accidents, and maintain other essential city services, though the measure does not legally require that the money be spent that way.

The program has drawn both praise and criticism on social media platforms including X and Instagram. Cyclists and disability advocates have responded favorably to the program, viewing it as a positive step toward making streets safer for vulnerable road users. Critics argue that the city is using the program as a revenue generator and that officials should instead prioritize larger issues, such as reducing crime.

By Milan Manesh

SANTA MONICA—On July 22, the city of Santa Monica announced a new program offering one-time and short-term financial aid for those in need of renter’s assistance.

 Photo Credit: Nathan Dumlao

The new program is funded through Measure GS and administered by The People Concern in partnership with Santa Monica’s Homelessness Prevention and Intervention Division. Santa Monica Renter’s Aid is designed to help those eligible to remain stable and safely housed. Applications are available thru August 20

“Nobody should lose their home over one bad month. Renter Aid puts roughly $6 million directly into the hands of Santa Monica renters who hit a rough patch and connect them with The People Concern so a short-term crisis doesn’t turn into a long term one. Keeping people housed is more cost effective and more humane than helping them after they’ve already lost everything,” said Santa Monica Mayor Caroline Torosis. 

To qualify for Santa Monica Renter’s Aid, applicants must be a resident in a housing crisis or at risk of losing housing and meet the income eligibility requirements. The program is for low-income households, including the elderly, those with disabilities, and families with children.

Applicants will be required to provide documentation to verify eligibility. Assistance is not guaranteed.

Those needing help to complete the application may attend a free in-person application on Tuesdays from 3-7 p.m. at Virginia Avenue Park Center Building located at 2200 Virginia Avenue. Thursdays from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at Main Library located at 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

Representatives from The People Concern will be available at the upcoming State of the City event on Thursday, July 23, 4-7 p.m. taking place on Main Street between Hollister Avenue and Ocean Park Boulevard. Admission is free and the event is open to all ages.

According to Zillow, the average cost to rent an apartment in Santa Monica ranges from $2,169 to $4,594 monthly. The average market rent being approximately $3,490 monthly.

Low income in Santa Monica is considered less than $137,400 for a family of four, according to the city’s website. An income of $933-1,439 per person monthly would be considered very low income. An annual earnings of $25,600 annually for a family of four is categorized as extremely low income.

Data from a 2025 Homelessness count noted 475 people living outdoors (including at city beaches), a decrease of 4 individuals from 2024, with 202 people living in shelters, 84 people in vehicles, and 51 people living in tents.

By Sharon

MELROSE—On July 21, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that a years-long joint investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division – Cargo Theft Task Force, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Memphis Field Office, led to a May 21, 2026, Tennessee federal grand jury indictment of 12 people alleged to have participated in a intricate theft network that stole more than $2 million in Nike shoes from the company’s main Memphis-based warehouse between July 2021 and July 2024.

Named in the indictment were Roy Lee Harvey Jr. (previously arrested by the LAPD on January 27, 2024); Bereket Abraham (co-founder/co-owner of Coolkicks, a popular shoe store on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles); Jorge Cuellar (an online shoe reseller and popular social media figure known as “horehead_sales”); Keith Cannon; Cadarian Mack; Joel Deluna; and six now-former Nike employees: Michael Perkins, Marquesio Robinson, Julian Baker, Cortez Spenser, Roderico McClellan, and Damon Johnson.

In January 2024, the LAPD arrested Harvey Jr. on state charges of Penal Code 496(a) – Receiving Stolen Property related to the stolen Nike shoes. The arrest prompted the LAPD and the FBI to coordinate their investigations, revealing that Harvey and Abraham conspired to print UPS shipping labels using equipment and the UPS account associated with Abraham/Coolkicks.

After receiving the shoe shipments, Abraham and Cuellar paid Harvey and other co-conspirators more than $900,000 for the stolen shoes, which were either sold online or through Coolkicks to the unsuspecting public.

Photo by Los Angeles Police Department.

On June 22 and June 23, 2026, joint LAPD/FBI teams arrested Harvey, Abraham, and Cuellar on federal arrest warrants stemming from the indictment. All appeared in federal court in Los Angeles on June 23, 2026, and face three federal charges: 18 U.S.C. § 2 – Aiding and Abetting, 18 U.S.C. § 371 – Conspiracy, and 18 U.S.C. § 2314 – Interstate Transportation of Stolen Property. If convicted, they could face up to 15 years in federal prison, $500,000 in fines, and up to three years of federal probation.

Anyone with details is asked to contact the Commercial Crimes Division at (213) 486-8766 between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—A heat advisory has been issued for the Malibu region by the National Weather Service starting Wednesday, July 22 and running through Monday, July 27.

While Malibu on the coast will remain cooler, the Santa Monica Mountains and hiking areas in the Malibu region will be much hotter. Temperatures are expected to reach 93 – 107F in inland areas of LA County, and heat impacts will be amplified by high humidity levels (monsoonal moisture).

There is a high risk for dangerous heat illness for anyone, specifically for the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those engaged in outdoor activities.

Safety Tips:

• NEVER leave kids or pets unattended in vehicles
• Don’t go hiking, except in the early morning or early evening, and don’t take your
dog with you. Bring plenty of water and sun protection, and be sure to let someone know where you will be.
• Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated
• Stay in air-conditioned spaces
• Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing
• See weather updates: https://www.weather.gov/lox/

To find more heat safety tips and local cooling center locations visit: https://ready.lacounty.gov/heat

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, July 21, the Beverly Hills Police Department announced that it is encouraging drivers to follow the speed limit and “slow the fast down” for the month of July. The BHPD will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers who are speeding or driving too fast for conditions.

• Plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
• Follow posted speed limits, especially in school and work zones.
• Drive at a speed that is safe speed for the conditions around you. Adjust your speed for changing weather, traffic, and road conditions.
• Avoid aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating or weaving through traffic.

By Danny Jones

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—Singer David A. Burke, known by the stage name D4vd, had his lawyer file a motion seeking permission to appear in court without handcuffs or other restraints. His lawyer, Blair Berk, argued his client never tried to escape, has never been disruptive, and has made five court appearances, all without incident. She cited that record to argue that restraints should be kept to a minimum unless there is a specific need.

Judge Charlaine Olmedo of the Los Angeles Superior Court has not yet ruled on the motion. The hearing is set to begin Tuesday, July 21, and is expected to run for about 3 to 7 days. It will determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence to send Burke to trial in the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

D4vd is eligible to receive both life in prison and the death penalty for his alleged involvement in the murder of Rivas-Hernandez. He is facing first-degree murder with special circumstances, lewd and lascivious acts with an individual under 14, and mutilating a body.

The special circumstances include lying in wait for the victim, committing the crime for financial gain, and murdering a witness in an investigation.

These circumstances increase the severity of the case, which prompted Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman to consider pursuing the death penalty.

Investigators believe the scene of the crime was D4VD’s home in Hollywood Hills. They argued that Burke stabbed Hernandez after she threatened to expose his criminal conduct and jeopardize his music career.

Hernandez’s body was found mutilated in the front trunk of a Tesla in September 2025. Charges were filed against the singer on April 20, 2026. The preliminary hearing on Tuesday will determine whether there’s enough evidence to hold Burke to answer on the charges.

By Milan Manesh

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Monday, July 20, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department noted it needs the public’s help to locate a missing person.

Warren Raymond McKay, 71. is a Caucasian male who was last seen on July 20 at approximately 8:04 a.m., on the 1100 block of Poinsettia Drive, in West Hollywood.

McKay is 5 feet and 5 inches tall, he weighs 175 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a black shirt with white numbers, “2022,” plaid and white pajama pants with a silver wedding band on his left ring finger.

He suffers from a neurocognitive disorder and is medication dependent. He has not communicated with his family and they are concerned for his well-being.

Anyone with details about McKay’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Missing Persons Unit at (323) 890-5500.

To provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced on Monday, July 20 that a small brush fire erupted
at Mulholland Highway and Old Topanga Canyon Road at about 3 a.m. Responding firefighters quickly extinguished the fire at 1/4 acre within minutes. If the fire expanded, the city would follow up with emergency alerts and posts on social media and nextdoor.

Small fires are a powerful reminder for Malibu residents and businesses to get started on their emergency plan including evacuation routes and reunification locations, medications, first aid, essential documents, backup batteries for devices.

Sign up for emergency alerts from the city of Malibu at www.MalibuCity.org/news (scroll to alert center), and from LA County at https://ready.lacounty.gov/emergency-notifications.

Get the City’s Fire Preparedness Quick Guide, schedule your FREE home wildfire assessment from Malibu’s Fire Safety Liaisons, and get more preparedness info at https://malibucity.org/firesafety.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, July 20, the city of Santa Monica announced that Appian Way, the roadway that provides access to the south side of the Pier parking lot, will be closed to all vehicles from Monday, July 27, through Monday, August 3.

Part of the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project, the temporary road closure is necessary to allow crews to safely demolish a portion of the existing Pier Bridge over the roadway. The closure will be contained to the area just beneath the existing bridge, north of Seaside Terrace.

The Santa Monica Pier is expected to remain open throughout the closure, including all restaurants, shops, attractions, businesses and amenities.

Vehicle access to Parking Lot 1 North will remain available from Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) throughout the closure. Visitors can use one of the following nearby public parking facilities during the closure:

-Beach Lot 4 South
-Beach Lot 3 North
-Parking Structure 8

Clearly marked parking, pedestrian routes and wayfinding signage will guide visitors to the Pier. Pedestrian access to the Pier and Ocean Front Walk will remain available throughout construction.

Public transit and rideshare services are available to reach the Pier during the closure. Several local bus routes and the Metro E Line provide convenient access to downtown Santa Monica, with the Pier just a short walk away. Designated rideshare pick-up and drop-off locations near the Pier will remain accessible throughout the closure.

Visitors should plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and follow posted detour, parking and pedestrian signage while traveling to and from the Pier during the temporary closure.

The Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project will replace the nearly 90-year-old bridge that serves as the primary vehicle access to the Pier. The project will improve safety, accessibility and the long-term reliability of this important connection while maintaining access to the Pier throughout construction whenever possible.

By Danny Jones