Robbers take Christmas gifts and car from SM home
By Daily Press staff
Police were busy last week looking for armed robbers who in two separate incidents held up a store on Montana Avenue and robbed a local resident of cash, Christmas presents and his car.
Santa Monica police arrested Donald Harris, 46, on Dec. 23 after he allegedly robbed Jenny Bec’s boutique at 927 Montana Ave. shortly before 6:30 p.m. When officers arrived to the scene, they were met by a victim who said Harris was last seen on foot westbound on Montana Avenue. A preliminary investigation revealed that Harris allegedly entered the store, displayed a handgun and demanded money.
Officers were told that Harris was seen boarding a bus at Lincoln Boulevard and Montana Avenue. Another officer began following the bus. At Fourth Street and Wilshire Boulevard, he pulled it over. Once the bus was stopped, Harris exited the bus and ran while being pursued by officers, police said. Harris was eventually taken into custody with the aid of Police K-9 Rex. While officers were struggling with Harris, he attempted to pull a handgun from his waistband, police said. After Harris was taken into custody, officers recovered the handgun and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency taken in the armed robbery.
Harris was recently paroled on Nov. 5, after serving 16 years of a 32-year prison sentence for armed robbery, police said. Harris was booked at the Santa Monica Jail and charged with armed robbery and parole violation, no bail.
Police are still looking for two suspects who robbed a residence in the 2900 block of 11th Street just a few hours prior to the Montana Avenue robbery.
At 3:01 p.m., SMPD officers responded to a call of a residential robbery. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects entered the residence through an unlocked door. While inside, they took several items and fired a shot into the floor of the residence. No one was injured. The suspects fled in the victim’s vehicle.
The first suspect is described as a black male, in his 20’s, 6 feet, one inch tall, thin, having a goatee, wearing blue jeans, and a blue and white sweater. He was armed with a handgun. The second suspect is described as a black male, in his 20’s, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, having a shaved head, a dark complexion, wearing a dark, hooded denim jacket and baggy jeans. He also was armed with a handgun. The loss is an unknown amount of U.S. Currency, several Christmas gifts and the victim’s vehicle. The vehicle taken is described as a green 2001, Daewoo, Lanos sedan with California license plate 4PBE878.
Anyone with information regarding the incidents is encouraged to call the SMPD at (310) 458-8491. Callers who wish to provide anonymous information may also 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 December 27, 2004. Read the original PDF.