Mustang Armed Robbery Suspects Arrested In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — A man and woman suspected of holding a woman at gunpoint last month during an armed robbery in Santa Monica were arrested, authorities said.

A victim reported she was walking in the area near 25th Street and Alta Avenue at about 7:15 p.m. March 31 when a red Ford Mustang pulled up alongside her and a man pulled out a gun and demanded the victim's belongings and fled with her purse, Lt. Rudy Flores of the Santa Monica Police Department.

The victim called 911 and described the suspects' vehicle and where it was driving, Flores said.

Minutes later, SMPD officers spotted a red Ford Mustang at the Chevron at 432 Wilshire Boulevard, Flores said. The suspects drove off and officers saw the license plate on the vehicle showed it was stolen.

The vehicle was seen again at another Chevron, 1732 Lincoln Blvd., Flores said. When officers tried to contact the suspects they fled the car on foot. One suspect was immediately apprehended and the other jumped a wall into an alley.

Police set up a perimeter and SWAT responded to search for the missing suspect, Flores said. They later found the suspect hiding under a blanket outside a nearby apartment building.

Officers searched the red Ford Mustang and located the victim’s purse and gun, he added.

Lorenza Luisa Garcia, 35, and Dylon James Sotelo-Camacho, 22, were taken into custody and booked on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy and resisting/delaying/obstructing arrest.

Anyone with any additional information pertaining to this incident is strongly encouraged to contact SMPD Detective Haro at 310-458-8432 or the watch commander at 310-458-8426.