After He Smashed a Store Window, This Homeless Man Ran to Hide in the Alley Where Police Found Him

After a homeless dude named Austin Reed Turner-Crawford smashed a car window, the SMPD sent someone to find him in the alley behind the store. This on 17th Street and Pico Blvd, on Sunday March 20th. The police press release follows. It notes that Turner Crawford had an outstanding Burglary warrant.

On March 20, 2022, at about 2:50 AM, Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Officers were dispatched to investigate a commercial burglary at 1709 Pico Blvd, Dr. T House.

When SMPD officers arrived on scene they noticed the front glass door to the business was broken. They were flagged down by the reporting party, who provided them a description of the suspect and his direction of travel. Officers drove through the 1900 block of alley 17 and located the described male, later identified as Austin Reed Turner-Crawford, a 24-year-old male experiencing homelessness.

SMPD officers recovered 3 stolen Apple iPads and US currency, on Turner-Crawford's person. He also was in possession of a cylindrical pipe, commonly used as drug paraphernalia. Turner- Crawford was placed under arrest then transported to the Santa Monica Police Jail. He was booked for Burglary, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and an outstanding Burglary warrant.

SMPD Detectives believe that Turner-Crawford may be responsible for other recent commercial burglaries in the area.

Anyone with any additional information pertaining to this incident is strongly encouraged to contact Detective Zamfirov at 310-458-8398 or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8426.