20-Year-Old Charged In Burglary of Dead Man's Home

The following information was provided from the via a Nixle report released Friday.

Benjamin Johnson, a 20-year-old Downey resident, was charged early Wednesday morning for the theft of Miguel Santamaria’s car, dog and other property. 

Santamaria was found dead on May 21 in his apartment in the 1600 block of Amberwood Drive. Preliminary information received from the LA County Coroner's Office indicated Santamaria's death was the result of natural causes; however, Santamaria's car, dog, wallet, and laptop computers were missing. Santamaria's vehicle, a green 2001 Honda Civic was entered into a nationwide database as a stolen vehicle. 

At about 1 a.m. Wednesday May 30, officers from the Downey Police Department located Santamaria's car in the parking lot of a motel in the 9400 block of Firestone Boulevard in the City of Downey. Downey officers established a surveillance of the vehicle and motel until South Pasadena Police Department detectives arrived. When the car did not leave the motel, SPPD detectives contacted the desk clerk and determined the car had been listed on the registration card for a room rented by a male and female. 

SPPD detectives eventually contacted both the male and female subjects and subsequently arrested Johnson for receiving stolen property related to the theft of Santamaria's car and several of his credit cards. The female was determined not to be involved and was released. 

Johnson was brought to the station and interviewed. During the interview, Johnson confessed to corresponding with Santamaria via Craigslist and they arranged to meet. Santamaria picked up Johnson on Thursday May 17 and took Johnson back to his Amberwood Drive apartment.

Sometime during Johnson’s visit, Santamaria died of what is currently believed to be natural causes. Johnson left the apartment, taking Santamaria’s car, dog, wallet and computers. He later discarded the computers and released the dog in Downey. The dog was picked up by the local Humane Society. 

The investigation by both the SPPD and LASD Homicide Bureau continues, but no additional charges against Johnson related to Santamaria's death are anticipated at this time. Johnson is currently being held on $35,000 bail and was transported to Alhambra Superior Court this morning for his arraignment. 

A booking photo of Johnson will be released as soon as it becomes available.

Check back with Patch for updates.

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