Two suspects have been arrested and charged on suspicion of committing two counts each of burglary from a vehicle and grand theft.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department, on Wednesday April 24, 2024, at 12:24pm, a dark colored Nissan Altima with three occupants pulled into the Chevron at 1344 Santa Monica Boulevard and stopped next to the open car door of a vehicle getting gas. One of the suspects took the victim’s purse from the front seat.
At about 12:30pm, the same Altima pulled into the Sinclair gas station at 1944 Pico Boulevard and stopped in front of the second victim’s vehicle at the pumps. The rear passenger in the Altima opened the victim’s car door, took the victim’s purse and fled with the other suspects.
About 30 minutes later, the same suspects shattered the window of a vehicle parked at the Shell station at 1866 Lincoln Boulevard and stole a laptop, iPad and other property. The suspects were tracked and arrested with the assistance of the Hawthorne Police Department.
Officers recovered several hundred dollars and most of the victims’ property. On April 26th, the LA County District Attorney’s office filed felony burglary and grand theft charges (487a PC and 459 PC) against Raul Santino Lopez (DOB: 12/27/2003) and Agustin Jesus Vega (DOB: 02/23/2003), both of Richmond, California.
Neither of the suspects have a significant arrest history in California.
scott.snowden@smdp.com