In an attempt to run, man plunges out of a window
FOURTH STREET — A Santa Monica man wanted in connection with an attempted armed robbery died Tuesday after jumping out of a third floor window in an apparent attempt to run from police.
Detectives with the Santa Monica Police Department were ordering Martin Schmidt to surrender when the 33-year-old “suddenly turned, ran through the bedroom, crashed through a closed window and fell from the third floor,” said SMPD LT. Alex Padilla.
Schmidt, who was a suspect in the attempted armed robbery of the Budget Market at 2331 Fourth Street, sustained major injuries in the fall. Paramedics treated Schmidt at the scene before transporting him to a local hospital, where he later died as a result of his injuries, Padilla said.
Detectives investigating the attempted robbery were led to an apartment complex in the 2900 block of Fourth Street where the suspect was residing with other family members, Padilla said.
Family members allowed the detectives to search the apartment for Schmidt, who was hiding in a back bedroom. When detectives called on Schmidt to give himself up, he jumped.
Sam Sharif,manager of the market, said Schmidt came into his store around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday swinging a baseball bat and demanded money. Sharif said Schmidt, who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, had robbed one of his employees three months earlier using the same baseball bat.
SCHMIDT, from page 1 During the earlier robbery, the store clerk gave up the money, but this time around, the clerk refused.
“My guy picked up a bottle of wine and said,‘I let you go before, but I’m not going to give you money this time,’” Sharif said. “He picked up the bottle and said he was going to smash it over the guy’s head. The guy dropped the bat and said he was just kid-ding. He was pretty scared and ran out.”
Sharif said police told him that Schmidt was responsible for robberies at other stores in the area. ■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 December 28, 2006. Read the original PDF.