At 1:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 27, the Santa Monica police responded to the 1600 block of Ocean Avenue regarding an auto theft. Two suspects went into a restaurant/bar and befriended a female who was having a drink. The suspects proceeded to engage the female in conversation, and when she left the table to go to the restroom, the suspects took her car keys and left the restaurant, stealing her car. The information regarding the theft was broadcasted to officers, and the suspects were stopped at Eighth Street and Arizona Avenue. They were placed under arrest for auto theft, and one for driving under the influence. The driver is identified as Michael Joyce, 27, of Marina del Rey, and the other is Thomas Eugene McCormick, 29, of Santa Monica. Bail was set at $20,000 each.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 5, 2005. Read the original PDF.