Tag: Burglar

SANTA MONICA—Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department indicated in an email to the Canyon News that a suspect was arrested by authorities after they receive a call of a Prowler Now on Wednesday, November 8.

The SMPD reported at 3:27 a.m., officers responded to a call of a Prowler Now in the 200 block of 24th Street. The reporting party for the incident was one of two off-duty law enforcement officers providing private security services for the homeowner. They spotted the subject of the call in the backyard of the home trying to gain entry. When officers arrived, they found the subject being detained by security in the driveway of the property.

The subject was identified as Charles Marcell Newman, 46, currently experiencing homelessness. He is a parolee at large and an out-of-compliance sex registrant. He is also under investigation for burglary and trespassing in Los Angeles.

Newman was the subject of several prowling calls at the same Santa Monica residence in September and October. He was captured on surveillance video trying doors and windows around the perimeter of the home as well as trying car door handles. During an incident on October 31, 2023, he was seen on camera in the backyard trying to open windows. Detectives were able to identify him from the video and place a WANT in the system for his detention and questioning.

The suspect has been arrested by the Santa Monica Police Department for similar crimes (burglary, resisting arrest, violation of parole and probation) in 2012 and again in 2019. Newman was convicted in both prior incidents and served prison time.

Detectives will present the case to the LA County District Attorney’s Office requesting that Newman be charged with a completed burglary, multiple attempted burglaries, and a violation of his sex offender registration conditions. He is currently being held without bail for the parole violation. His first court appearance will be on Monday, November 13.

Anyone with details related to this individual or incident is asked to contact Detective Zamfirov at Peter.Zamfirov@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Lozanoat Alfonso.Lozano@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

TOPANGA—Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Division are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a commercial burglary suspect dubbed the, “Two O’Clock Rock” burglar who has targeted over 60 businesses in the San Fernando Valley in 2021.

The LAPD reported that the suspect committed burglaries at businesses in Devonshire Division, Van Nuys Division, North Hollywood Division, Topanga Division, West Valley Division and in the cities of Burbank and San Fernando.

The culprit targets businesses during early morning hours, generally between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. He first cases a location, then stages rocks in front of the businesses he is about to burglarize. The suspect gains entry by throwing a rock through the front glass door and, once inside, removes cash from the register. In several cases he has stolen locked cash boxes.

The suspect is described as a Black male with dark skin with a receding hair line that sometimes wears glasses. He stands 5 feet and 10 inches tall and weighs approximately 150-180 pounds. He tends to wear a dark hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and black shoes.

The suspect has been seen riding a bicycle or driving an early 2000’s 4-door dark-colored Nissan Maxima or Sentra.

Anyone with details on these crimes is asked to call Devonshire Burglary Detective II J. Eastburn at (818)832-0936 or Detective C. Parchman at (818)832-0941. 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. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

By Donald