SANTA MONICA—On June 20, a homeless man pled no contest to three separate violent robberies that transpired in Santa Monica. Deputy District Attorney Keri Modder of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office noted that said that Brian Noah Morgan, 25, entered the pleas for 2 counts each of attempted murder and second-degree robbery.

Morgan admitted to the special allegation of using a deadly and dangerous weapon—a knife. The first robbery occurred on May 15, 2017, where the suspect and an accomplice broke into a home in the 500 block of 20th Street and assaulted the individual inside.   Santa Monica Fire Department Paramedics treated the victim at the scene and transported him to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

A another robbery occurred at a residence on the 200 block of 19th Street on Friday, May 26. Morgan secreted himself in the rear yard and refused to comply with officers. SMPD, SWAT and Crisis Negotiators responded to the scene. Following a period of negotiations, the suspect was taken into custody with the assistance of a Police K-9 and SWAT officers.
A second suspect fled the scene in a car heading northbound out of sight. Officers were able to gather the vehicle information including the license plate details and alert surrounding law enforcement agencies. The El Monte Police Department located the vehicle at around 10:30 p.m. and took a second suspect into custody on the 11200 block of Garvey Avenue in El Monte.

During the incident, multiple victims sustained injuries; one suffered significant injuries from stab wounds and the second suffered injuries from a blunt object. Both victims were transported to local hospitals for treatment.

Morgan was involved in another robbery where he approached a couple who just returned home from their daughter’s wedding. They were unpacking gifts from their car, when the suspect demanded money from the couple, and then wrested a wedding ring and stole some cash from the pair.

The defendant is expected to be sentenced on Friday, July 6 in Department 70 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. He will be sentenced to 32 years in state prison, pending approval of the plea deal.

Written By Katie Trojano and Donald Roberts