A teenage girl’s walk home in Santa Monica ended with an arrest this week after she reported that a man in a white van exposed himself as she passed by, police said.
The incident happened Tuesday in the 1300 block of Grant Street. According to investigators, the teen told her family right after the encounter, and they quickly contacted Santa Monica police. Detectives later identified a suspect and took him into custody in connection with the report.
NBC Los Angeles reports that detectives arrested 37-year-old Edgar Hernandez Perez of Los Angeles and booked him at the Santa Monica Jail on suspicion of indecent exposure and child annoyance. According to the outlet, the man was seated in a white van when he exposed himself and then drove off. Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact police.
Police follow-up and past cases
The arrest comes on the heels of other indecent-exposure and prowler investigations the Santa Monica Police Department has highlighted in recent years. In a 2024 city press release, SMPD described a similar prowler arrest and urged residents to report suspicious behavior, share tips, and provide any relevant camera footage to investigators. The Santa Monica Police Department framed those reminders as part of its routine community-safety updates.
What the charges mean
Perez was booked on suspicion of indecent exposure and what police referred to as child annoyance, conduct that is commonly charged under California Penal Code section 647.6. Judicial Council guidance explains that the law applies to behavior a reasonable person would find disturbing and that is driven by an abnormal sexual interest. Absent qualifying prior convictions, it is typically prosecuted as a misdemeanor.
Potential sentencing can include up to a year in county jail or fines, and prosecutors may seek enhanced filings in some situations. Justia and other legal references outline those elements and possible penalties.
Police are asking anyone with information or video related to the incident to contact the Santa Monica Police Department. Recent city press materials list the department’s non-emergency dispatch line at 310-458-8491 and the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427. Santa Monica city press releases frequently repeat the same contact details and guidance for residents who may have tips or footage that could help an investigation.
