Police describe suspects as wearing ski masks
Famed author Michael Crichton was tied up and robbed at gunpoint in his Santa Monica home early Monday by two masked men.
Santa Monica Police couldn’t say whether the victim was Crichton, but his publicist Joseph Marich confirmed that the author of Jurassic Park was robbed at his home.
“An incident did occur but everybody is fine and that’s all I can say because a kid is involved,” Marich said.
Crichton reportedly lives with his daughter, Taylor.
Police said the crime was committed in a private home in the 400 block of 22nd Street, which is between Georgina Avenue and Marguerita Avenue.
Santa Monica Police responded to a call at 4:51 a.m. Monday regarding a home invasion robbery, SMPD Lt. Frank Fabrega said.
The victim, believed to be Crichton, told police two men armed with handguns and dressed in ski masks broke into his home, tied him and an unidentified person up while the thieves ransacked the house.
Crichton was able to call police after he freed himself and the thieves left. Both victims were uninjured, police said.
Police are providing little details regarding the incident because the investigation is on-going. It is unknown how long Crichton was tied up, how much was stolen or how long the thieves were inside his home.
“There was a loss of personal property with an undetermined value,” Fabrega said, adding a car was heard leaving the area shortly after the incident.
The first suspect is described as a male, 5’ 10” wearing a black ski mask, black sweater and dark pants. The second suspect also is a male, 5’ 10”, wearing a black ski mask, black sweater and dark pants Fabrega said anyone with information regarding the crime should call SMPD’s robbery/homicide unit at (310) 458-8451.
Crichton, 59, is an acclaimed writer, movie producer and director. In addition to writing dozens of novels, he is responsible for movies such as “Congo,” “Sphere,” “Jurassic Park,” “Disclosure,” “Rising Sun” and “Twister.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 24, 2002. Read the original PDF.