Police Uncover Booby-Trapped Garage After Shots Fired in Santa Monica

Santa Monica Police officers responded to reports of shots fired at a residence on the 3300 block of Exposition Boulevard on Sunday, November 17, 2024, around 5:50 PM. A neighbor reported hearing gunfire along with a male voice threatening violence from the garage.

Upon arrival, officers found two elderly women inside the residence unharmed. Arthur Hideki Tabuchi, 61, was also found safe inside the property. During their search, officers discovered a shotgun shell mounted on a workbench in the garage, rigged with a spring-loaded firing pin attached to the garage door. The setup was designed to discharge the shell when the door was opened.

A second, similarly rigged shell was found near a pedestrian gate on the north side of the house. This device had been modified to act as a sound diversion and had been recently discharged, likely prompting the initial report of shots fired.

The LA County Bomb Squad was called to clear the property, ensuring no additional traps were present. The garage shell was safely dismantled, and a search warrant revealed more unlawfully obtained ammunition.

Tabuchi was transported to a hospital for a mental health evaluation. The District Attorney's office will file felony charges related to maintaining a booby trap under California Penal Code 20110.

Detectives encourage anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Detective McCoy at james.mccoy@santamonica.gov, Sergeant Cooney at shaun.cooney@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427, available 24/7. 

Reviving the Compass Rose: Santa Monica’s Iconic Mural Restored by Pier Painter Joey Alvarez

On Monday, November 18, 2024, Joey Alvarez, known as the "Santa Monica Pier Painter," completed the repainting of the compass rose mural at the west end of the Santa Monica Pier. This marks the third time the mural has been refurbished since its original creation in 2018 by Santa Monica High School student Mimi Gaudet.

Alvarez, reflecting on the project, shared the challenges faced during the process: “It took two weeks, but weather was a big factor. Some mornings, it was too wet to paint, and I even had to go to jury duty one day,” he explained. Despite delays and the coastal elements, Alvarez pushed through. “The Santa Ana winds helped us out, drying the paint faster,” he added.

The mural, featuring the updated “Another Day in Paradise” in regular lettering, has undergone several revisions to maintain its vibrant look amid foot traffic and environmental wear. “Everyone comes and stands on it for photos, and when they take out the trash, the wheels wear it down,” Alvarez noted. He emphasized that constant moisture and foot traffic contribute to the need for regular upkeep.

With the project complete, Alvarez is set to move on to painting bathroom doors and maintaining other parts of the pier. “There’s always something to do out here,” he said, embodying the dedication he’s shown throughout his career as the pier’s only painter.

Homicide Investigation: Santa Monica Man Arrested After Fatal Stabbing of Mother

Santa Monica, CA – Early on the morning of November 16, 2024, Santa Monica Police responded to an aggravated assault call at an apartment in the 1100 block of 12th Street. According to reports, a male resident informed dispatchers that his brother had stabbed their mother multiple times.

Upon arrival, officers encountered two adult brothers outside the apartment and found an elderly woman inside with severe stab wounds to her upper body. Immediate medical assistance was provided until paramedics from the Santa Monica Fire Department arrived. Tragically, the victim succumbed to her injuries en route to the hospital.

The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Vernon Jeremiah Harris, resided in the apartment with his mother and two older brothers. Harris, who has no known criminal history and may have physical and developmental disabilities, was apprehended at the scene. The brother who reported the incident, who also serves as a caregiver for Harris and their mother, was awakened by the mother’s cries for help. He discovered Harris standing over their mother holding a knife.

The third brother, who was at work during the incident, arrived at the scene while police were investigating. Both brothers provided statements to detectives.

A search warrant led to the recovery of the weapon used in the attack, and forensic teams processed the scene. Harris will be booked and transported to Los Angeles County Jail, where he will await his first court appearance.

Authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact Detective Jauregui at martin.jauregui@santamonica.gov, Sergeant Lozano at alfonso.lozano@santamonica.gov, or reach the Watch Commander desk 24/7 at (310) 458-8427.

Santa Monica Police Seek Public's Help in Identifying Potential Victims of Indecent Exposure

Santa Monica, CA (November 14, 2024) – The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) is asking for the public's help in identifying potential victims of a man who allegedly exposed himself to children near the Santa Monica Pier.

According to SMPD, on September 18th, 2024, 46-year-old Benjamin Bush of Rosamond, California displayed a nude photograph of himself to three separate 9-year-old victims while outside Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier. Investigators believe there may have been an additional unidentified juvenile victim inside Playland Arcade who also witnessed the inappropriate behavior.

Following an investigation, Bush was arrested on October 29th, 2024, on charges of child annoyance and distributing harmful matter to a minor. While Bush has no prior criminal history, police suspect there may be other incidents involving him.

The SMPD is urging anyone with information about this case or who may have been a victim of similar behavior by Bush to contact Detective Baker (Sean.Baker@santamonica.gov), Detective Sergeant Haro (David.Haro@santamonica.gov), or the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427 (24 hours a day).

Freightliner Stranded on Venice Canals Bridge, Rescued Without Incident

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to an incident involving a semi-truck stranded over the Venice Canals on Dell Avenue. The vehicle, identified as a Freightliner, bottomed out and became immobile while attempting to cross a bridge not designed to support such weight. A tow truck from All City Tow arrived at the scene and successfully extricated the semi-truck from the bridge. LAPD officers provided an escort as the truck reversed down Dell Avenue, while intersections at Washington Boulevard and Dell Avenue were temporarily blocked to ensure a safe exit. According to the tow truck driver, the semi-truck operator was following GPS navigation and overlooked a posted sign indicating a weight limit of 6,000 pounds on the bridge. No citations were issued for the incident, and traffic resumed smoothly after the vehicle was removed without further complications.

NGHTMRE Celebrates 10 Years with Surprise Santa Monica Pier Performance and Scholarship Announcement

Santa Monica, CA – Fans at the Santa Monica Pier were in for a double surprise Wednesday night as DJ NGHTMRE, also known as Tyler Marenyi, not only delivered an electrifying sunset set but also marked a major milestone. Celebrating 10 years of his music career, Marenyi took the opportunity to look back on a decade filled with over 1,000 shows and more than one billion streams.

Marenyi expressed his gratitude to fans on Facebook, reflecting on a decade of NGHTMRE filled with over 1,000 performances and surpassing one billion streams. He noted how quickly the time had passed and emphasized that none of these achievements would have been possible without the support of his fans.

In honor of the anniversary, NGHTMRE announced a new partnership with Icon Collective Los Angeles to launch the Hero’s Journey Scholarship, which will grant three full-ride scholarships for 2025. Aspiring music creators can find details on how to apply through the link on his social media.

The unexpected pop-up event added a festive atmosphere to the pier, where fans danced against the backdrop of a stunning California sunset, celebrating not only the artist’s achievements but also his commitment to giving back to the music community.

Venice Shooting Near Smart & Final Sparks Lockdown, Road Closures on Lincoln Blvd; One Injured

Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to a shooting late Wednesday morning at the Smart & Final parking lot near Lincoln Boulevard and Sunset Avenue in Venice. The incident, reported around 11:30 a.m., resulted in the closure of Lincoln Boulevard between Vernon Avenue and Flower Avenue as detectives investigated.

A witness at the scene described the chaotic events: "I seen that black Lexus crashing to the steps over there, and then once it crashed, the two guys got out the car and took off running," he recounted. "A black truck pulled up right behind the car, and the passenger got out, pulled out the gun, and started shooting at the guys that were running away." The witness mentioned that one of the men was shot in the leg and taken to the hospital, adding, "The guys in the truck started walking around the parking lot trying to find him, but when they couldn’t, they left."

As reported by *Westside Current*, the shooting may have stemmed from a traffic collision between a black truck and an Infiniti. Upon arrival, officers found a male victim with a gunshot wound, while two males and one female were detained at the scene. Their involvement in the incident is under investigation, with no further details or potential motives released by LAPD at this time.

The incident also affected local schools. According to *Westside Current*, a parent said the school was on lockdown for about twenty minutes. The parent shared their frustration, noting the helplessness and anger that comes with children experiencing such situations. They commended the school's swift response but criticized the growing, unchecked crime and violence in the community.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to search for answers in this developing story.