On August 19
SMPD officers responded to the 1300 block of Wilshire Blvd for a reported theft at Rite Aid. A store employee witnessed the suspect, Angelo Vajda from Los Angeles, steal approximately $120 worth of merchandise from the store. Rite-Aid personnel followed Vajda outside the store and watched him enter Target located a few blocks away and steal additional items. SMPD located the suspect at a nearby bus stop in possession of the stolen items. Vajda was arrested for shoplifting. A records check revealed Vajda had an active warrant for Grand Theft with Hawthorne PD.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 6, 2023. Read the original PDF.