In a concerted effort to crack down on criminal activities amid the chaos of the Palisades Fire evacuation, the Santa Monica Police Department has apprehended 39 individuals over a span of five days, as reported by KTLA. According to SMPD Lt. Erika Aklufi, the arrests include 10 burglary suspects, none of whom are Santa Monica residents, and among these individuals, six had possession of burglary tools.
During one significant operation, three suspects were nabbed on 18th Street, while four others were taken into custody in the 200 block of Euclid Street, and two more were arrested at 10th Street and Carlyle Avenue, further compounding the situation, two alleged culprits were using the Watch Duty app to monitor evacuation zones, a strategy aimed to aid in their illicit undertakings, as noted by the FOX LA report.
In detailing the arrests, SMPD presented the case of 29-year-old Joshua Kaliel Love, who attempted escape but was later detained; he was found carrying a dagger, a tool meant for breaking windows, a mask, gloves, and narcotics, as per FOX LA. Other detainees included 22-year-old Miguel Angel Dorantes and 18-year-old Dominic Pachecomanga, apprehended together after failing to heed a stop signal, and 27-year-old Gabriel Isaih Stokes.
"The lieutenant said that more information about these incidents will be released in the coming days, including the burglary suspects’ identities," in a statement obtained by KTLA.
