Tag: Vandalism

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, August 20, the Santa Monica Police Department reported that an individual has been arrested for vandalizing a water meter. The SMPD reported on June 5, officers responded to a multiunit residential complex in the 2100 block of Ocean Park Blvd. about a vandalism incident.

The owner of the buildings noticed the wires to his sprinkler system control box were cut. When he checked the recordings from his external cameras, the building owner discovered that on May 31 at about 8 p.m. a male suspect tampered with the sprinkler box, jumped over the gate from the building into the alley, opened the city water meter box, and cut the wires inside. The suspect walked east in the alley south of Ocean Park Boulevard.

Officers canvassed the alley and located a total of seven city-owned water meters vandalized in addition to the building owner’s property. In mid-July, the Santa Monica Water Resources administrator reported that a total of 304 water meters had their wires cut over the span of several weeks and required replacement. Most of the damaged meters were in an area bordered by 14th Street to 25th Street and from the I-10 Freeway to Ashland Ave.

There was an additional cluster of damaged meters on the east end of the city between Ocean Park Boulevard and Pico Boulevard. The total cost of the damage to the city owned meters was calculated at approximately $45,000. Additional footage of the subject was also obtained. On August 13, investigators served a search warrant at a residence in Santa Monica.

The evidence connected Richard Martin, 51, to the vandalism of the water meters at the residence. He was also arrested and charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney with Felony Vandalism. He has prior criminal convictions for Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Felony Elder Abuse, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Anyone with details about the incident or Martin is asked to contact Detective Hernandez at Esteban.Hernandez@santamonica.gov.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—On Thursday, July 18, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office disclosed that Boxer Ryan Garcia has been charged with allegedly vandalizing the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills in the city of Beverly Hills on June 8.

Garcia, 25, is charged with one misdemeanor count of vandalism of $400 or more in damage or destruction of property. It is further alleged that the amount of defacement, damage and destruction was $400 or more. He is expected to be arraigned on August 7 in Dept. 72 of the Airport Courthouse.

Garcia started boxing at the age of seven and won his first professional fight at the age of 17 against Edgar Meza with a TKO. He was expelled from the World Boxing Council in July 2024 after using racial slurs against African Americans and making remarks about Muslims via a social media live video. He holds a record of 20 boxing wins via knockout, and one loss via a knockout against Gervonta Davis.

On June 8, Garcia allegedly damaged and destroyed property at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. He was accused by staff of causing more than $15,000 in damage at the establishment.

A second individual, Celeste Cardio, was arrested following the incident. Cardio’s case was declined to be prosecuted due to insufficient evidence.

If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum sentence of one year in county jail. The case was investigated by the Beverly Hills Police Department.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On Thursday, April 4, the Los Angeles Police Department disclosed that the West Los Angeles Auto Detectives, in conjunction with LAPD South Traffic Division, Pacific Division, and Santa Monica Police Department, announced the arrest of a suspect believed to be involved in a series of vandalism crimes that transpired in the cities of Los Angeles, Culver City, Burbank, and Santa Monica.

The LAPD reported on March 28, around 5 p.m., the suspect, later identified as Lisa Jones, 30, drove to the 2000 block of Camden Avenue. Jones exited her vehicle with a brick and threw it at a random vehicle’s windshield. Jones picked up the brick from the ground and drove away. The incident was captured on video and garnered national news coverage. Several other vandalism victims came forward in the Venice, Mid-Wilshire, Woodland Hills, and northeast neighborhoods of Los Angeles, as well as the cities of Culver City, Burbank, and Santa Monica.

Detectives from West LA Division, Pacific Division, South Traffic Division, and SMPD worked together to identify Jones. On April 3, West Los Angeles Autos detectives and patrol officers took Jones into custody. She was arrested and booked for 594(B)(1) PC – Felony Vandalism. She is being held with no bail, Booking no. 6787608.

Anyone with details about these crimes or these types of incidents is asked to call the West LA Auto Detectives at (310) 444-1503. 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 can call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

By Trevor

TOPANGA CANYON—On Tuesday, January 9, the Los Angeles Police Department Major Crimes Division announced they are asking victims of a vandalism suspect to come forward. The LAPD reported on January 8, around 3:30 p.m., Topanga Area patrol officers arrested Edelidio David Wallace, 64, in the 21000 block of Victory Boulevard. He was arrested and booked at Valley Jail for 594 (b)(1)PC: Felony Vandalism, with an outstanding felony warrant, booking number 6739226.

Authorities indicated on January 6, at approximately 3 a.m., Topanga Area patrol officers responded to three vandalism incidents within three blocks of the 20900 block of Victory Boulevard. The suspect used rocks and cement bricks to smash glass windows and doors belonging to several closed businesses. The suspect fled from the location on foot.

On January 8, between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m., Wallace vandalized additional closed businesses on Vanowen Street, Topanga Canyon Boulevard, and Sherman Way, again throwing rocks and bricks. All the vandalism occurred within a two-mile radius. Major Crimes Division is investigating the vandalism series to determine if there is a hate crime nexus based on three businesses being Jewish owned. The rocks recovered had “Glory” and “Pay Up” written on them.

Major Crimes Division is investigating additional vandalisms that occurred on January 5 and January 7 in the same general area to determine if they are related. During the incidents, authorities noted that Wallace was wearing the following items:

-January 6: Nike green sweatshirt, black pants, white Nike shoes

-January 8: Nike burgundy sweatshirt, black pants, white Nike shoes

Investigators believe there are other victims who have yet to be identified. Anyone who may have been a victim or have information about the investigation is asked to contact Major Crimes Detectives Beard or Patin at 213-486-7280. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

By Trevor

WEST HOLLYWOOD—An art exhibit on Sunset Boulevard was vandalized days after West Hollywood’s Pride parade.

The exhibit featured more than a dozen life-sized photos of Drag-queens that had been burned, gouged, and a few were tagged with graffiti one with the letters “VS.” 

The inspiration for the portraits came from an essay on the second West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval in the late 1980’s. This exhibit has been on the Sunset Strip since May 1 in celebration of Pride. 

The artist’s behind the exhibit chose to remain anonymous for fear of her personal safety. She spoke with ABC7 regarding the incident. “I just think the energy of the country just sucks. It’s like America needs to get it together, I don’t know why people have to be so nasty to each other,” the artist shared. She attended the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval back in the late 80’s and took those photos herself. 

“You know, I just remember that as a really fun time in my life and I wanted to share those images,” she told the news outlet. 

According to video footage obtained by ABC7 the some of portraits had small holes burned into the faces of the portraits. There weren’t any anti-LGBTQIA slogans tagged on the works of art.  

The artist contacted the L.A. County Sheriff but has not filed an official report because she is out of town. It is currently unknown if the vandalism will be investigated as a hate crime.

By Christianne

WESTWOOD—Five windows of a Carvel Ice cream shop located in Westwood were shattered by vandals on Sunday, January 1. The store’s cash register containing less than $200 was taken during the process. 

The business’s owner, Steve Winick, discovered the damage through a friend who sent him images of the shattered windows. 

It is unknown how many people were involved in the crime. In months prior, the property owner removed security cameras and according to the store operator, were never replaced. 

Winick set up a GoFundMe account to help cover his $5,000 deductible for the damage and have raised a total of $1,804 of the goal. 

On January 3, Armando Chavez, who works at a window company offered to help Winick replace his shop’s windows and clean up after hearing initial reports of the crime. Winick offered free ice cream to Chavez and his 500 employees as a thank you for the gesture. 

There have been three other businesses near Carvel Ice Cream subjected to similar crimes in recent months. It is unknown if the crimes are related. 

Canyon News reached out to Winick for a statement but did not hear back before print.