Sunday, August 29 2:40 p.m.
Officers reported to the area of Lincoln and Ocean Park Blvd. for a Stole Vehicle out of Northridge that was being tracked by GPS. The officers observed an unoccupied white van at a gas station and subsequently observed a male enter the van. The Officers detained the male without further incident. After contacting LAPD, Officers learned that the van belonged to a family business and that the subject, Gesler Aldair Ramos de Leon was a previous employee who had been let go and had stolen a van from the company once before. Ramos de Leon was arrested for 487(D) (1) PC- Grand Theft Auto and later cited out, per COVID guidelines.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 11, 2021. Read the original PDF.