SANTA MONICA—On October 6, the Santa Monica Police Department indicated in a press release that a juvenile was arrested in connection to an attempted armed robbery that occurred on October 2. The SMPD reported on October 2, at approximately 9:30 a.m., officers arrested a juvenile male (11 years-old) for attempted armed robbery with a knife near the 1300 block of the beach.

The victim of the robbery relayed to officers that he frequently visits the Santa Monica Beach and while seated in his truck he spotted two individuals near the bed where his bicycle was tethered. The suspect approached the truck while holding a knife near his chest.  The victim believed the suspect was unaware of his presence inside the truck and was attempting to steal his bike. Upon realizing the truck was occupied, the youth threatened to cut the victim with the knife. The suspect, along with another youth (13 years-old) fled the area, but were located shortly after.  The knife, dropped during the foot pursuit was located by officers and the victim was not physically harmed during the incident.

Both juveniles, reported as runaways from a residential care facility in the city of San Dimas, were issued citations. The younger of the two suspects was issued a citation for attempted armed robbery and the other for obstructing an investigation. Both were released into the custody of staff from the residential facility.  A records check indicates that both suspects were arrested by officers twice in the month of September for carjacking and burglarizing a vehicle.

Anyone with details related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Lucero at hilda.lucero@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Shaun Cooney at shaun.cooney@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.