SANTA MONICA—Lt. Lewis Gilmour of the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News via email that a prowler was arrested. The SMPD reported that on September 3, officers from the Santa Monica Police Department’s Crime Impact Team (CIT) arrested a suspect in connection with a series of prowling and peeping incidents reported over the last several months in Beat 4.
As authorities were conducting a crime suppression operation in Palisades Park, CIT officers observed a subject matching the description of the individual sought in these cases. Officers contacted the subject as he entered a parked vehicle, confirmed his identity, and placed him under arrest.
The suspect was taken into custody without incident. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded clothing items believed to have been worn during several of the reported prowling incidents.
The suspect was identified as Calvin Otis Arnold, 58. He was booked into the Santa Monica Jail on charges of 647(i) PC – Peeking While Loitering and 647(h) PC – Prowling. The suspect remains in police custody.
Investigators linked Arnold to multiple incidents in which he was reportedly observed looking through the window of an apartment complex. Two victims were targeted on more than one occasion.
Over the past month, officers from CIT and the Directed Action Response Team (DART) conducted several focused operations aimed at locating the suspect, culminating in Wednesday evening’s arrest.
At this time, there is no indication that Arnold attempted to enter any homes or make physical contact with residents.
“We are unable to release the booking photo at this time. Recent changes in state law (Penal Code §13665, AB 1475 and AB 994) limit the release of booking photos to very specific circumstances, and those requirements are not met in this case,” Lt. Gilmour told Canyon News.
Residents are asked to promptly report any suspicious activity to SMPD’s non-emergency line at 310-458-8491 and to sign-up for a free home security assessment through the Community Engagement Team at 310-458-8474.
The case is still under investigation. Anyone with details related to any of the incidents should contact Detective Orta (Maricela.Orta@santamonica.gov) in the Criminal Investigations Division or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
By Danny Jones