Tag: Home Invasion

SANTA MONICA—Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department indicated in an email to Canyon News on Wednesday, June 12, that a suspect involved in a 2016 home invasion was convicted in court.

The SMPD reported on August 28, 2016, officers responded to a ‘shots fired’ call at a residence in the 600 block of Adelaide Drive, Santa Monica. They discovered the homeowner had been shot once in the torso during what was determined to be a failed robbery attempt. The victim survived and was taken to UCLA hospital where they were treated.

A multi-year investigation, aided by DNA evidence, linked the incident to additional home invasions in Beverly Hills and Downey. All four incidents transpired within a two-week period in 2016. The suspect, Vacho Shahen, 39, of Las Vegas, was arrested in Philadelphia, PA, in 2018.

Last week, after a three-week trial, Shahen was convicted by a jury on 16 of 17 felony charges. His sentencing is scheduled for June 24, 2024, in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The SMPD is offering free home security assessments to all residents. The assessments help identify potential vulnerabilities and provide recommendations to better secure your home. To schedule an assessment contact the Community Affairs Unit at 310-458-8474.

For additional details regarding this investigation contact Sgt. Chad Goodwin at 310-458-8931 or Lt. Erika Aklufi at 310-458-8493.

By Trevor

BEL AIR—A home invasion in Bel Air that occurred on Friday, April 28, left an elderly couple injured. 

Just before 1 a.m. that day three to four masked suspects entered the residence located on the 1300 block of Casiano Road. The couple was watching TV when the suspects ransacked the home and tied the couple up. The victims are said to be a woman in her 60’s and a man in 70’s. They were both found with bruises. According to reports the male victim was struck several times in the head during the invasion which lasted more than an hour.

The couple’s son later arrived at the scene and discovered his parents. Both police and paramedics were on their way to the scene. They sustained non-life threatening injuries and were not required to be transported for medical attention. 

According to investigators the suspects got away with a large amount of cash but did not disclose the exact amount that was taken. 

The suspects have not been found and police are currently investigating the case. They are looking through the neighborhood to see if anyone has surveillance video of the attackers.

The suspects have been described as all male but other information that could help identify them has not been released. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247.