SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department executed search warrants at a stalking suspect’s home and vehicle, recovering a handgun, more than 5,000 rounds of ammunition, roughly 100 magazines including about 40 high-capacity ones, narcotics, and digital evidence tied to the case, the Santa Monica Daily Press first reported.
SMPD’s Crime Impact Team and detectives conducted the raid sometime during the week of August 10. The suspect was already barred from possessing firearms under a protective order at the time of the search.
He was arrested on suspicion of stalking and illegal possession of a firearm, the latter charged under California Penal Code 29825, which bars gun ownership for anyone subject to a protective order. Misdemeanor stalking carries a penalty of up to a year in county jail and a $1000 fine in California. If the suspect is charged with felony stalking instead, he could face three to five years in state prison along with additional penalties.
The arrest comes as Santa Monica has seen a 7.7 percent increase in calls for service and a 68 percent increase in arrests compared to the same period last year. The SMPD attributes the rise to a more proactive policing approach initiated in December 2025 under Chief Darrick Jacob. City officials say the strategy prioritizes officers actively patrolling, intervening early, and focusing on areas with repeat complaints rather than responding only after someone calls.
