SANTA MONICA—On September 17, the Santa Monica Police Department announced it was seeking additional victims of Michael Greenwald, who is accused of indecent exposure at a women’s clothing store in Santa Monica.
It is alleged that around 3 p.m. on August 29, 2026, Greenwald entered the store and claimed he was filming a television show that required him to try on women’s clothing. While doing so, he allegedly exposed his genitals and buttocks to a woman working at the store. He then left the store without buying anything.
The SMPD was notified the next day.
Detectives watched video footage that included the suspect’s vehicle, which helped identify the suspect. On September 4, 2026, SMPD arrested Greenwald. Investigators searched his residence and found evidence.
Greenwald is a 72-year-old Calabasas resident. He is described as a White man with brown hair, weighing 180 pounds, and about 5 feet 8 inches tall. Greenwald is also a registered sex offender who, in the past, engaged in actions similar to the one he is accused of in Santa Monica.
On September 8, 2026, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Greenwald with one felony count of indecent exposure under Section 314(1) of the California State Penal Code. This section defines indecent exposure as the willful exposure of a person’s genitals in a lewd manner, either in a place where people are present who can be offended or annoyed by the act or in a public place.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Greenwald’s actions should contact either Sergeant George Burciaga or Detective Carlos Madrid. Anyone with information that could help the investigation should do the same. You can reach Sergeant Burciaga by email at george.burciaga@santamonica.gov or by phone at 310-458-8952. Detective Madrid can be reached at 424-280-0133 or carlos.madrid@santamonica.gov.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released any additional information to the public, including the victim’s name.
By Daniel Diquinzio