Crime Watch is culled from reports provided by the Santa Monica Police Department. These are arrests only. All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
On August 12
Officers responded to the 1500 block of Palisades Park for a Suspicious Circumstances call. The reporting party stated that a backpack and laptop that was stolen from him was located via GPS next to an individual sitting on a bench at Palisades Park. The victim pointed out his backpack to the officers who then approached the individual sitting next to it. The suspect, 32-year-old Anthony Townson stated the backpack belonged to him. Upon searching the backpack, officers located a laptop with a login screen name matching the victim. Officers also located narcotics paraphernalia o Townson. Townson was placed under arrest for receiving stolen property and possession of opiates.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 2, 2022. Read the original PDF.