From Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD)
Early this morning, Santa Monica Police Officers were patrolling the northeast area of Santa Monica in response to a series of residential burglaries and hot prowls in the neighborhood. At approximately 3:45 a.m., officers noticed a man wearing dark clothing lurking in the area of 23rd Street and Carlyle Avenue. The suspect was later identified as 35 year old Kenneth Whitfield, a resident of Palmdale, CA.
Officers noticed Whitfield walking up and down various residential driveways, peering into residential windows and attempting to open car doors. As officers attempted to make contact, Whitfield concealed himself from the officers behind a parked car. During the approach and in response to Whitfield’s actions, an officer fired one round.
Whitfield, was subsequently taken into custody without injury or incident. He was booked at the Santa Monica Jail for 647(h) PC- Prowling, 10852(a) CVC – Vehicle tampering, 496(a) PC – Receiving stolen property and 1203.2(a) PC – Probation violation.
The incident is under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division of the Santa Monica Police Department. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Response Team was notified and declined to respond. In accordance with Santa Monica Police Department Policy, a concurrent administrative investigation has been initiated.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Larios at (310) 458-8937, Detective Michael Bambrick at (310) 458-8932, Sergeant Maury Sumlin at (310) 458-8760 or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8495.
