SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, January 23, the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office filed charges on Charles Marcell Newman, 41, for his possible involvement in a series of prowling incidents and vehicle thefts in the area. Ring.com footage shows Newman walking up to a residence and attempting to gain access while holding a white cloth in his hand while scouring his surroundings to ensure he is not seen. Upon not gain access to one of the residences’ he leaves the scene.

According to a press release the Canyon News received from Lt. Saul Rodriguez, after a preliminary investigation by the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD), detectives established information leading to Newman as the primary suspect involved in a series of crimes:

-On January 14, 2019 at about 3:12 a.m., a suspect attempted to make entry through the front door of a home at the 700 block of 25th Street.

-On January 16, 2019 at about 1:28 a.m., a suspect attempted to make entry through the front door of a home at the 400 block of 24th Street.

-On January 16, 2019 at about 4:30 a.m., a vehicle theft occurred at the 500 block of 21st Place.

-On January 21, 2019 at about 2:45 a.m., a vehicle theft occurred in the 400 block of 14th Street.

On January 21, 2019, with the help of the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (L.A. Impact) – Group # 25, Newman was located in the 500 block of South Flower Street in Los Angeles and taken into police custody. He was booked at the SMPD Jail.

Newman has been charged with two counts of 647(h) PC – Prowling; 10852 CVC – Vehicle Tampering; 496 PC – Receiving Stolen Property; 290 PC – Failure to Register as a Sex Offender; and 3056 PC – Parole Violation. He remains in custody without bail pending future court proceedings.

Lt. Rodriguez informed Canyon News that Newman was arrested in 2012 in Santa Monica for residential burglary. He noted that Newman did not resist arrested when he was found by officers. Lt. Rodriguez indicated that authorities are uncertain if Newman could be connected to other thefts in the region and seeking any information and other possible victims.

Anyone with details related to Newman or the described crime series is encouraged to call Detective Tavera at (310) 458-2256; Sgt. Flores at (310) 458-8488; or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.