> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Police busy rounding up suspects
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/police-busy-rounding-up-suspects/
- Published: 2006-07-14T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T18:55:08.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Crime, Pico, #archive-import

*Police bust five*

*By MICHAEL J. TITTINGER Daily Press Staff Writer*

PICO NEIGHBORHOOD — On the heels of a suspected gang-related incident Wednesday afternoon, during which a lone black man was assaulted at a local restaurant and chased on Lincoln Boulevard by a group of Hispanic teens, the police announced that they have taken five suspects into custody.

The arrests of one adult — Benjamin Andres Moreno, 18, of Bellflower — and four minors comes amid a 10-day span of violence in the Pico Neighborhood, including four shootings and a reported sexual assault. The Santa Monica Police are still investigating whether or not the suspects were involved in the other incidents.

On Wednesday at 4:26 p.m., police responded to the corner of Lincoln Boulevard and Michigan Avenue regarding a fight. When officers arrived on the scene, the victim — a 19-year-old Santa Monica man — claimed that he was at Tommy’s Original World Famous burgers at Lincoln and Pico boulevards when he was approached by the suspects.

According to Lt. Frank Fabrega of the SMPD, the victim claims the assailants made a racial comment before beginning to punch him. The victim fled on foot, heading north on Lincoln Boulevard, and while being chased one of the suspects pointed a gun in his direction before running back to their vehicle.

Three separate arrests have been made since, netting five men believed to have played a role in the incident. The suspect, according to police, knew some of the names of his assailants and helped guide police.

At 5:04 p.m. on Wednesday, police officers assigned to the Pico Neighborhood Task Force (Operation Safe Streets) — an additional assignment team created by Chief James Butts on July 10 to augment the task force — responded to the 2600 block of Pico, near the Yum-Yum Donuts Shop, regarding a fight.

When officers arrived, they detained several subjects. During their investigation, a field show up was conducted and two men were detained — Moreno and a 17-year-old male juvenile — identified as suspects in the assault with a deadly weapon. Moreno was booked for attempted murder, participation in a criminal street gang, hate crime and additional charges. The second suspect was booked at a local juvenile detention facility for participation in a criminal street gang, and battery.

Moreno is being held on $1 million bail. Less than an hour later, at 5:50 p.m. on Wednesday, police officers assigned to Operation Safe Streets, patrolling the area, spotted two additional subjects in the 2400 block of Pico Blvd. that were involved in the earlier assault with a deadly weapon at Lincoln Boulevard and Michigan Avenue. The two suspects were positively identified in a field show-up and arrested.

Both suspects — ages 16 and 17 — are juveniles, and were subsequently transported to a local juvenile detention facility. They were booked for attempted murder, criminal threats, participation in a street criminal gang and additional related charges.

Shortly after noon on Thursday, officers saw an outstanding suspect at Lincoln Boulevard and Pine Street. The suspect — a 16-year-old male — was arrested for his involvement in the assault and also transported to a local juvenile detention facility and booked for attempted murder, criminal threats, participation in a street criminal gang, and additional related charges.

There is no bail set for any of the four juveniles.

Anyone having information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491, or Sgt. Gary Herman or Detective Sal Lucio at (310) 458-8451\. Callers who wish to provide anonymous information also may call the We-Tip national hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463). Callers with information that leads to an arrest and conviction become eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 14, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/071406.pdf?ref=smdp.com)