Significant Events
February 27, 2025
Battery on Metro Contracted Security (Inter-Con) – Suspect Arrested
Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies responded to the Downtown Santa Monica Metro Platform Station regarding a battery on the Metro Contracted Security (Inter-Con) call for service. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted Metro Contract Security Officers (victim), who stated they were at the Santa Monica platform when they observed an adult male (suspect) enter through the emergency gate and began smoking. They approached the suspect and requested that he exit the platform. The suspect then flicked the cigarette at one of the officers, striking the officer in the chest. Security officers detained the suspect, and during the detention, the suspect attempted to throw feces at them. Deputy personnel requested TSB MET, and the Santa Monica Fire Department responded. TSB MET and the Santa Monica Fire Department arrived on the scene and evaluated the suspect. The suspect was transported to a local hospital and placed on a mental evaluation hold.
Theft – Suspect Arrested
Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies responded to the station lobby regarding a theft call for service. Upon arrival, dispatch informed deputies that an adult male (suspect) had entered the lobby, activated the fire alarm, and stolen a package that was located on the counter. With the assistance of dispatch, the deputies were able to locate and detain the suspect. The stolen package was recovered, and the suspect was arrested.
February 26, 2025
Grand Theft – Suspect Outstanding
Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies responded to Florence Metro Passenger Station regarding a possible theft call for service. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted an adult female (victim) who stated she was approached by several suspects (two adult females and one juvenile female) who asked her if they could play with her puppy. The victim allowed the suspects to play with her puppy as they rode the train. The victim further stated she asked for her puppy back because she was going to exit the train, at which time the suspects told the victim they would exit with her. The victim proceeded to exit the train, but the suspects remained on the train as it departed. No injuries were reported. A search for the suspects was conducted but met with negative results.
Vandalism – Suspect Outstanding
Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies responded to Garfield Avenue and Imperial Highway in the city of South Gate regarding a vandalism call for service. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted the bus operator (victim), who stated an adult male (suspect) threw a tequila bottle at the windshield of the bus, causing the glass to crack. The suspect then picked up a rock and threw the rock at a second bus, causing the windshield to crack. The suspect fled westbound on Imperial Hwy and out of view. No injuries were reported. A search for the suspect was conducted but met with negative results.
February 25, 2025
Attempted Robbery – Suspect Arrested
Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies responded to Century Boulevard and Prairie Avenue in the city of Inglewood. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted a juvenile male (victim) who said he was traveling westbound on the metro bus when he was approached by an adult male (suspect) who reached out and grabbed the victim’s bus tap card. The victim was able to hold on to his tap card after a brief struggle with the suspect. The victim attempted to flee; however, the suspect restrained the victim by placing him in a headlock and stepping on his feet, preventing the victim from fleeing. The victim sustained soreness around the neck area and lower extremities. The victim refused to be transported for medical evaluation. The suspect was arrested.
Traffic Collision – Train vs Vehicle
Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies responded to Colorado Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevard regarding a traffic collision call for service. Upon arrival, Deputies observed a Metro train colliding with a 2021 White Nissan. The Santa Monica Fire Department responded and evaluated the situation. Neither party involved sustained any injury or complained of pain. The Santa Monica Police Department responded to the location and will investigate the traffic collision.
Suspicious Circumstances – Party transported
Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies responded to Artesia Metro Passenger Station regarding a disturbance call for service. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted Metro contracted security (inter-Con) (informant), who stated she contacted an adult male (party) sleeping on the sidewalk near the bus bay. The security officer noticed the party was not wearing pants, and his genitals were exposed. The security officer stated she was offended but would not provide additional information and became uncooperative with Deputies. Deputies contacted the party pending an indecent exposure investigation.
The party stated he was sick, soiled his pants, and had to remove them. Deputies also noticed the party had bodily fluids around him. Compton Fire Department responded and transported the party to a local hospital for further medical evaluation. TSB MET personnel responded to the hospital and interviewed the party. The incident was documented as a suspicious circumstance, possible indecent exposure.
February 24, 2025
Felon in Possession of Weapon on Transit (BB Gun) – Suspect Arrested
While conducting train sweeps at the Norwalk Metro Passenger Station, Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies observed an adult male (suspect) sleeping inside the train. As Deputies tapped the suspect on the leg to wake him, he felt the butt end of a firearm in the suspect’s pant cargo pocket. The suspect was immediately detained and removed from the train. While conducting a search of the suspect, a BB gun was recovered from the suspect’s pants cargo pocket. The suspect was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Further investigation revealed the suspect was on active probation. The suspect was arrested for the above incident.
February 23, 2025
Robbery (Bodily Force) – Suspect Outstanding
Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies responded to El Monte Bus Terminal in the city of El Monte regarding a robbery call for service. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted an adult female (victim) who stated while she was waiting for a bus, an adult female (suspect) approached her and engaged in conversation. After a brief conversation, the victim began to walk away from the suspect. The suspect then approached the victim from behind and, punched the victim on the ear and took her ear pods. The suspect left the location southbound and out of view. A search for the suspect was conducted but met with negative results. The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics but refused to be transported to the hospital. The suspect is still outstanding.
Assault on Metro Passenger (Pepper Spray) – Suspect Arrested
Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies responded to Magnolia Boulevard and Victory Boulevard in the city of Burbank regarding an assault call for service. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted an adult male and an adult female (suspect). The couple was verbally arguing on the bus when a third-party adult female (Victim) observed the argument. The victim told the couple to stop arguing or exit the bus. The suspect became upset and produced a can of pepper spray as she began to argue with the victim. The suspect then sprayed the victim on the shoulder. The victim, in self-defense, produced a can of pepper spray and sprayed in the direction of the suspect. A fellow bus passenger stated she observed the incident and corroborated the victim’s account. The victim was desirous of prosecution and signed a private person’s arrest. All parties said they were not injured at the time of the incident.
February 22, 2025
Battery of Transit Person – Suspect Arrested
Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies responded to Willowbrook Metro Passenger Station regarding a battery just occurred call for service. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted an adult male (victim) who told them he became involved in an argument with an acquaintance, an adult male (Suspect) on the platform. The victim said the suspect punched him once in the face and then sprayed him with pepper spray. Deputies located the suspect and detained him. The suspect admitted to punching and pepper spraying. The victim sustained redness and swelling to his lip. Los Angeles County Fire Department responded and transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was further evaluated for his injuries.
During their investigation, Deputies discovered the suspect was on parole for robbery, which prohibits him from carrying pepper spray. The suspect was charged with the above crimes.
February 22, 2025
Vandalism – Suspect Outstanding
Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies responded to the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and San Vicente Boulevard in the city of West Hollywood regarding a Vandalism to a bus call for service. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted the operator, who stated that he heard a loud bang on the driver’s side front window while pulling out of the parking lot and noticed the window was shattered. The operator observed only one person standing on the sidewalk near the bus. The person of interest was described as an adult male wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and black pants. The person of interest left the location in an unknown direction. Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the person of interest. The MTA supervisor estimated the cost of repairs to be $1476.
February 20, 2025
Battery on MTA Contracted Security (Hands) – Suspect Arrested
Transit Services Bureau (TSB) Deputies responded to the Sierra Madre Metro Passenger Station regarding an assault on Allied Universal Security Personnel. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted security personnel (victim), who stated they contacted an adult male (S/1) on the westbound train. During the contact, S/1 yelled at the victim and rushed at the victim, followed by another adult male (S/2) rushing the victim. Fearing being assaulted by S1 & S2, the victim pepper sprayed the suspects. The victim subsequently took hold of one of the suspects, pulled him off the train, and handcuffed him. During the detention, one of the suspects spat at the victim several times. The victim was adamant about an arrest. The suspects were arrested.
The TSB Weekly Update is not a complete list of all incidents, arrests, or events that occurred. The details within each incident description are preliminary information only and are not meant to replace those of a full investigation.
For inquiries, please contact the TSB PIO, Deputy Dorian T. Penn at [email protected].
