Santa Monica Police Arrest Couple for Armed Purse Snatching at 25th Street and Alta Avenue

Santa Monica Police say they arrested a 22 year old man and a 35 year old woman for a drive up armed robbery against a pedestrian and 25th and Alta. They stole a woman's purse early Thursday evening, but were arrested buying gas at a Chevron station shortly thereafter.

SMPD says they made the arrest after a chase involving the SWAT team. SMPD chased the suspects after they used a black Glock replica handgun to steal a lady's purse, then stopped at Chevron.

The SMPD press release reads: On March 31, 2021, at about 7:15pm, Santa Monica Police Dispatch received a 911 call about an armed robbery that just occurred near 25th St. and Alta Ave. The 911 caller provided a description of the suspect vehicle, a red Ford Mustang, and its last known direction of travel. Officers learned that a victim was walking in the area when the Ford Mustang pulled up alongside of her. The male passenger pulled out a handgun, demanded the victim's belongings, then fled with her purse.

Minutes later, SMPD personnel spotted a red Ford Mustang at the Chevron (432 Wilshire Blvd.), before it drove off. The license plate on the vehicle showed it was stolen. The vehicle was seen again at another Chevron(1732 Lincoln Blvd.)

Upon contact, the two occupants fled on foot. The female driver, later identified as 35-year-old Lorenza Luisa Garcia, was immediately apprehended. Garcia was in possession of the victim's wallet.

The male passenger jumped a wall into the alley. A perimeter was established and a Special Weapons and Tactics(SWAT)call- out was initiated. A short time later, SMPD officers were alerted that a male was hiding under a blanket outside a nearby apartment building. The male suspect, later identified as 22-year-old DylonJames Sotelo-Camacho, was taken into custody without incident.

Inside the red Ford Mustang, officers located the victim's purse and a black Glock replica handgun. Sotelo-Camacho and Garcia both from Riverside, were booked for Robbery, Conspiracy and Resist/Delay/Obstruct Arrest.