Tag: Arrest

SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, June 26, Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News that a suspect in an attempted homicide had been arrested.

The SMPD reported on Monday, June 24, officers responded to a call of a male subject assaulting multiple victims on the beach, just north of the pier. The subject, later identified as Jawann Dwayne Garnett of Los Angeles, attacked a 17-year-old girl who was on the sand near Lifeguard Tower 13, striking and strangling her.

A female bystander, 25-year-old intervened and suffered injuries when the suspect punched her and bit her ear. He then attacked a female in her 70s who was walking near the waterline, pulling her into the ocean and holding her underwater.

Lifeguards and police officers were on-scene within minutes, interrupting Garnett’s attack and took him into police custody. The juvenile was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries and later released. The other two victims were treated at the scene by lifeguards and fire department personnel.

On June 26, the Los Angeles District Attorney filed the following charges:

-Victim 1 (juvenile)

664/187(a) PC – attempt murder

273(a) PC – felony child abuse

-Victim 2 (bystander)

245(a)(4) PC – ADW likely to produce GBI

220(a)(1) PC – assault with intent to commit rape

-Victim 3 (elder)

664/187(a) PC – attempt murder

207(a) PC – kidnapping

Garnett, who is currently homeless, has a long criminal history in Los Angeles County, including prior arrests for the following crimes: 220 (a)(1) PC – Assault w/Intent to Commit Rape, 236 PC – False Imprisonment, 245(a)(2) PC – Assault w/Deadly Weapon – Firearm, 273.5(a) PC – Domestic Violence (Felony), 243(e )(1) PC – Domestic Violence (Misdemeanor), 245(a)(1)PC Assault w/Deadly Weapon – Not a Firearm, 483PC Theft, 602(k) PC – Trespassing, 290.011(a)PC – Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

In December 2021, he was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department Topanga Division for 664/287(c)(2)(a) PC -Attempt Oral Copulation through Force, and subsequently charged and convicted for 220(a)(1) PC – Assault w/the Intent to Commit Sexual Assault. He was placed on probation.

Garnett is currently on formal probation for his 220(a)(1) PC conviction and has been arrested for several violations of his probation terms and soon after released. He was released on June 6, on his own recognizance for a probation violation and is scheduled to go to court for the violation on August 5, 2024.

On June 9, 2024, Garnett was arrested by the SMPD for failing to register as a sex offender. While in custody, he was registered as a sex offender in the city of Santa Monica and released with a citation with a promise to appear in court. That was the police department’s only encounter with Garnett prior to the attack on the beach. He is being held on $1 million bail.

Anyone with details related to this incident or this individual is asked to contact Detective Lucero at Hilda.Lucero@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Goodwin at Chad.Goodwin@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander 24 hours at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, April 12, the Lt. Erika Aklufi informed Canyon News via email that several arrests were made in connection to a series of organized retail thefts.

The SMPD reported on March 23, before 4 a.m., six suspects armed with sledgehammers broke through the front window of the Ulta Beauty store located at 1234 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica. The suspects, all wearing hoodies and face masks, used the sledgehammers to break open glass display cases containing high end fragrances, stealing over $23,000 in merchandise.

The suspects fled the location in two dark-colored vehicles. Following an exhaustive and thorough investigation, the suspects were tracked to a location in South Los Angeles and identified.

On April 11, SMPD detectives working in collaboration with the LAPD Organized Retail Crime Task Force served a search warrant in the 1200 block of 90th Place in Los Angeles. The warrant was served by a team comprised of SMPD SWAT, UAS, Patrol, Criminal Investigations Division personnel, and LAPD’s ORCTF.

The team recovered two firearms and merchandise from the ULTA burglary. Three individuals associated with the burglary were arrested and transported to the Santa Monica jail for booking. Based on evidence recovered during the warrant, detectives believe the individuals who burglarized the Santa Monica ULTA store are part of a larger organized retail theft crime ring that may have gang connections.

In custody for burglary (459 PC):

-Caleed Jamari Mouton, 24– Prior arrests for gun possession and domestic violence
-Christine Eelayia Walker, 21– No prior arrests (no booking photo available)
-Mekhai Taveon Ray, 22– Prior arrests for robbery

All of the suspects were released from custody with citations per the Los Angeles County bail schedule. Detectives are confident the other three individuals responsible for the ULTA burglary will be arrested soon.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—On March 15, the Beverly Hills Police Department announced on their Facebook page that a grand theft suspect had been arrested.

The BHPD reported a suspect committed a grand theft on Rodeo Drive. While walking away, authorities utilized their Real Time Watch Center technology and personnel were able to track him to where he committed another grand theft several blocks away.

“Still hot on his trail, our Virtual Patrol Officers (VPOs) informed our patrol officers that the suspect had left our City’s jurisdiction,” the BHPD stated.

An hour after the crimes were committed, officers were able to locate the suspect. The suspect tried to run away, but officers were faster and took him into custody. The name of the suspect and items stolen have not been disclosed to the public.

“Let this be a reminder: don’t commit crime in Beverly Hills; we will track you down even outside our City limits,” the BHPD said in a post on Facebook.

By Trevor

WESTWOOD—On January 23, the UCLA Police Department noted a suspect responsible for a sexual battery has been taken into custody.

It was reported on January 19 at around 2:10 p.m., the suspect grabbed the victim’s buttocks near the Inverted Fountain. At 6:07 p.m., the suspect grabbed another victim’s buttocks near Pritzker Hall.

The suspect was described in a news alert as a male, Indian or Middle Eastern in his 20s with short black hair. He was wearing a blue and gray jacket, gray sweatpants, black sneakers, a black backpack and headphones.

The victims in each sexual battery are UCLA students.

The UCLA Police Department would like to remind the campus community to:

• Dial 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.
• For non-emergencies, program the UCLA PD 24-hour phone number into your cell phone 310-825-1491.
• Always be alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Report any suspicious activity to the police.
• Do not leave doors to buildings propped open.
• Secure your residence by locking all windows and doors.
• Avoid poorly-lit or deserted areas when walking at night.
• Utilize the UCLA Safe Ride Service and UCPD CSO evening escorts.

The name of the suspect has not yet been disclosed to the public.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—On Friday, January 19, Lt. Andrew Meyers, the Public Information Officer for the Beverly Hills Police Department noted in an email to Canyon News that a suspect was arrested in connection to an armed robbery that occurred in June 2023.

The BHPD indicated that on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at approximately 6:39 p.m., the BHPD responded to an armed robbery that occurred in the 200 block of South Hamilton Drive.

The victim arrived home and was inside the apartment building as the suspect held the elevator door. The victim turned around and observed the suspect pointing a black semi-automatic handgun at him. The suspect demanded the victim’s “chain” [necklace] and watch. During the robbery, the suspect pulled the trigger twice; no rounds were fired. The suspect took the victim’s property and fled the location.

Through video from inside the apartment building, the suspect was spotted grabbing a package in the lobby area just before the robbery. BHPD Senior Forensic Specialists were able to process the package, where a fingerprint was recovered and verified, and the suspect was identified. A Ramey arrest warrant was issued for Randy Miller, 29.

In addition to the arrest warrant already granted for Miller’s arrest, a search warrant was also granted for Miller’s residence and vehicle(s).

On January 18, Beverly Hills Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, with the support of Detective personnel, successfully served the warrants, taking the suspect safely into custody. Evidence from the crime was recovered in addition to two stolen vehicles.

Miller is a resident of Los Angeles and was booked on the following charges: PC 664-187 – Attempt Murder, PC 211 – Robbery, and PC 1551 – Fugitive from Justice. He is in custody at the BHPD Jail and is being held without bail. Miller is due in court on Monday, January 22, 2024, at the LAX Superior Court. Miller is also a wanted person out of Colorado for robbery; his bail is $100,000.

By Trevor

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of the person of interest Joshua Findley on Tuesday, May 9, related to a shooting on April 7. The LASD reported the incident occurred on April 7 at the 7100 block of Santa Monica Boulevard at an apartment complex where the victim was injured.

Findley is currently in the custody of the LASD for unrelated charges including a parole violation and illegal possession of a firearm. There is no additional information available at the time.

He currently had two outstanding warrants for his arrest, unrelated to the shooting.

Anyone with details about the shooting is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station or Detective D. Martinez at (310) 855-8850. To remain anonymous contact “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 Donald

BEVERLY HILLS—Alfredo Jose Padilla of Lynwood was taken into custody on March 24, by the Beverly Hills Police Department. Padilla is accused of being responsible for a string of thefts of grease from multiple restaurants in Beverly Hills and around Los Angeles. Formal charges are currently pending. 

Inedible kitchen grease, often referred to as used cooking oil, is traded as a commodity and is used in the production of both renewable diesel and biodiesel fuels. The grease is often stored in a tank behind a building and collected by a third party. 

Police officers were conducting a traffic stop at around 2 a.m. on March 24 when they pulled over the suspect’s car. Investigators found a loaded firearm and an unspecified controlled substance in his vehicle.  

Detectives with the BHPD are working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture investigators to identify additional victims.

The Canyon News reached out to the BHPD for more information on the case, but did not hear back before print.
By Christianne