Carjacking, Attempted Robbery Suspect Arrested In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — A 22-year-old homeless man who led police on a foot chase is suspected of two separate carjackings and attempted robberies in Santa Monica, authorities said Wednesday.

Officers responded to a robbery at about 9:50 p.m. Monday, according to Lt. Rudy Flores of the Santa Monica Police Department.

They found the victim, who told them that he was pumping gas when a man approached him, threatened to hurt him and demanded his car, Flores said. The suspect then got inside the victim's vehicle, however, he was not able to start it because the key was not in the ignition.

The suspect then grabbed the victim’s phone and left, Flores said.

The victim provided officers with a suspect description.

At about 10:05 p.m. officers were called to a separate robbery at the parking lot of the Ralphs Market, 1644 Cloverfield Blvd., Flores said.

The victim told officers she was sitting in her car when a man opened her door, threatened to hurt her, then grabbed her and attempted to remove her from the car, Flores said. She ripped the victim's phone out of her hand during the struggle and fled.

The suspect in this incident allegedly matched the description of the suspect in the first incident, Flores said.

He was later found in the area near 21st Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, Flores said.

"When the male saw police, he jumped over a fence onto the embankment of the westbound I10 Freeway," Flores said.

Police set a perimeter and later found the suspect.

Jabari Osiah Merritt was arrested and booked on suspicion of robbery, attempted carjacking and resisting/obstructing/delaying arrest.

Officers located the stolen phones abandoned in the embankment, Flores said.

Anyone with information can contact SMPD Det. Pollnow at 310-458-8455 or the watch commander at 310-458-8426.