Police searching for two suspects in carjacking
Carjackers on Saturday led police on a chase through Santa Monica before crashing the car here and eluding officers, who closed off several blocks for nearly five hours to look for the suspects.
At about 7:30 p.m., two suspects approached a man who was getting into his Jeep Liberty in the 700 block of 21st Street, an upscale neighborhood north of Montana Avenue. With a handgun displayed, they demanded his car and his wallet.
While Santa Monica police officers were responding to the victim’s call, they saw the stolen vehicle in the 1400 block of 20th Street. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspects failed to stop, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended about two minutes later when the suspects’ vehicle struck the curb in the 1700 block of 14th Street. After the collision, the suspects fled on foot, and a perimeter was established between Pico and Olympic boulevards, and 11th and 14th streets. A search of the area was conducted, but the suspects weren’t found.
Tom Pryor, who lives at 12th Street and Michigan Avenue, said dozens of people were not allowed to enter the perimeter while police searched for the armed suspects. Pryor had left his home at 8 p.m. to rent a movie at Blockbuster. He wasn’t able to return until after 1 a.m.
“We stood there in the rain with our movie,” he said. “It would have been nice if they had let back into our house.”
SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega said it’s the department’s policy to not allow anyone into a perimeter when a search for armed suspects is being conducted.
“It’s for their own safety,” he said.
SMPD’s SWAT Team was on scene, as well as officers from Beverly Hills, Culver City, Inglewood and El Segundo. Helicopters also were used from LAPD and Hawthorne, Fabrega said.
The first suspect is described as a black male in his mid 20s, 5 feet, 11 inches to 6 feet tall, weighing 170 to 180 pounds, having black hair and a dark complexion. He was wearing a black “Kangol” hat, dark jacket, white T-shirt and dark pants. The second suspect is described as a black male, between 20 and 30 years old, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 200 to 210 pounds, having black, one-inch Afro-style hair and a dark complexion. He was wearing a white T-shirt, dark pants and light-colored shoes.
Anyone having additional information is encouraged to contact the robbery/homicide unit of the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8451 or the watch commander’s office at (310) 458-8426. Callers who wish to remain anonymous also may call the We-Tip national hotline at (800) 78-CRIME (27463).
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 21, 2005. Read the original PDF.