Office of Criminal Investigations

The Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) is responsible for the apprehension of criminals through investigation, recovery of stolen property, and preparation and presentation of evidence in criminal court cases. Commanded by a police captain, OCI is divided into Crimes Against Persons, Crimes Against Property and Investigative Support Sections. Homicide/Assault, Robbery and Sex Crimes units are included in the Crimes Against Persons Section. The Crimes Against Property Section is made up of Burglary, Juvenile, Forgery/Bunco, Warrant and Auto Theft units. The Investigative Support Section consists of Court Liaison, Juvenile, Domestic Violence and Support Services units.

Through a process of case management, OCI reviews all cases where the possibility of a criminal filing exists. The Case Management Officer makes the determination if solvability factors are present. If a follow-up is warranted, the case is referred to an investigator. Otherwise, the case is suspended until such time as more leads become available. A case is considered cleared when a suspect is either arrested or identified, even if the case cannot be prosecuted due to legal constraints.

Crimes Against Persons

The Crimes Against Persons Section is staffed by one sergeant and eight investigators. Staff investigates homicides, aggravated assaults, missing persons, robberies, sex crimes, domestic violence and miscellaneous crimes.

The Homicide Unit has two investigators assigned, Officers Shane Talbot and Steve Rosenfeld. They investigate all assaults with deadly weapons, missing persons, death investigations, gang assaults and shootings. In 1995, there were eight homicides, three of which were cleared by arrest and prosecution. On January 22, detectives were called to investigate a murder and an apparent rape of a homeless female who was found strangled under the 4th Street overpass of the Santa Monica Freeway. Early in the investigation a possible suspect was identified as a parolee from Virginia. The suspect was interviewed, however, there was insufficient evidence to obtain a filing against him. The investigation is open pending the analysis of physical evidence submitted to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Crime Lab. The suspect's whereabouts is being monitored in the event that additional information arises.

On February 17, a murder occurred at Lincoln and Pico Boulevards at a hamburger stand. The victim was a young Santa Monica College basketball player. He was with several friends at the hamburger stand when he was confronted by two local Santa Monica members of a tagging gang. The suspects challenged the victim and his friends to a confrontation. One of the suspects pulled a gun and fired a shot which resulted in his murder. Twenty-four hours of intense investigation lead to the identification and arrest of one adult and one juvenile suspect. Both were later charged with murder. On February 20, there was a gang-related homicide in the 1900 Block of 19th Street. Two known Santa Monica gang members were shot while seated in a car. One of the victims expired as a result of the gunshot wound. The second victim survived. The victim and witnesses in this incident were uncooperative with the investigation. The case remains open with no substantial progress.

On July 5, a gang-related shooting occurred at the intersection of 20th Street and Pico Boulevard. The victim, a local Santa Monica gang member, exited the vehicle and became involved in a verbal confrontation with occupants of another vehicle. One of the occupants of the other vehicle fired a shot striking the victim and killing him. It is believed that this incident may have stemmed from an earlier gang related dispute on the pier. The only eyewitness to the case refused to cooperate with the investigation. It also remains open.

In 1995, there were 522 reported robberies in Santa Monica. The Robbery Unit cleared 221 of these incidents by arrest, resulting in a 42.3 percent clearance rate, the highest clearance rate in many years. In 1993 and 1994 robbery detectives recorded an excellent 36 percent clearance rate, but the 1995 clearance rate was clearly exceptional. Three detectives, Cicciarelli, Keane and Tanner, were credited with achieving the high rate. Their diligence and willingness to work long hours were critical factors and they were awarded a Bureau Commendation. All of the detectives involved were well aware that the Department had identified the suppression of robberies as a major 1995 goal. A number of noteworthy cases were investigated by the unit this year. During the first quarter, a jewelry store on the 3rd Street Promenade was robbed by two gunmen. A three-month investigation led to the identification of the suspects and their arrest. The suspects were also identified by detectives as committing robberies as far east as Riverside County. The suspects, Los Angeles gang members, were later prosecuted and convicted for the armed robbery in Santa Monica and are awaiting trial for a similar robbery in Riverside County.

Detectives investigated a series of small business robberies which ultimately led to the detention of a suspect. The suspect was subsequently identified in 11 Santa Monica business robberies. He had recently been released from prison in Nevada for a similar series of robberies several years earlier.

A series of Jack In The Box Restaurant robberies extended throughout the Westside. Several arrests were made by Santa Monica detectives in connection with the robberies. The arrest of one suspect led to the clearance of several Santa Monica Jack In The Box robberies and several in Los Angeles. A second set of suspects was arrested after committing a robbery at a Jack In The Box on Wilshire Boulevard. The suspects were identified as Venice Shoreline Crips gang members and were believed responsible for numerous other Jack In The Box and small restaurant robberies. One juvenile was a Santa Monica SHO and another was a potential SHO, one arrest away from qualifying as a SHO. All are pending trial.

A convicted violent felon was arrested after a pursuit following a robbery that occurred in a restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard. The suspect was later identified in numerous robberies and attempted murders in Santa Monica, West Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Detectives investigated a series of 11 gang-related robberies on the beach and nearby parking lots. Investigation revealed that the suspects were gang members from the North Hollywood area. Arrests were made and a number of these cases were cleared as a result. Several suspects were prosecuted for armed robbery.

There was a take-over robbery of an auto stereo store on Santa Monica Boulevard. The suspects took all of the victims and employees hostage and loaded a rental truck with cellular phone and auto stereo equipment worth more than $100,000. The suspects abandoned some of the equipment after being pursued by police officers. Follow-up investigation, which lasted for several weeks, led to the arrest of several suspects, one of which was a convicted felon recently convicted of armed robbery. The second was a store employee who set up the robbery.

Detectives and Identification personnel identified a suspect involved in a bank robbery on Wilshire Boulevard. It was determined that the suspect could be responsible for 22 bank robberies. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant and after several months the suspect was arrested by Los Angeles Police Department officers. The suspect later confessed to detectives that he had committed the 22 robberies, five of which occurred in the City of Santa Monica. He was recently convicted on a number of these cases and is awaiting sentencing to the federal penitentiary.

There was a series of small restaurant robberies committed by a single suspect. The suspect was distinctive as he wore a hat in almost all of the cases, making him resemble the "Marlboro Man." The case was broken with information shared at a monthly robbery investigative meeting. Several hours after the meeting concluded, detectives from Culver City contacted Santa Monica detectives indicating they may have detained a possible suspect. Follow-up investigation by Santa Monica detectives led to the suspect confessing to 11 small business robberies. He took detectives to each location and described his actions during the commission of each robbery.

In October, a series of kidnaps, rapes and robberies began. Within several days the Sex Crimes Unit identified the crimes as a serial type of crime and an intense investigation ensued. The Rape Task Force was formed with OCI personnel, including six detectives and a supervisor. The Office of Special Enforcement assisted investigative efforts with field operations and surveillance in the suspect's target area. Surveillance operations are ongoing. There was also a series of rapes perpetrated by a registered sex offender. The suspect had contacted victims while they were exercising and offered professional massages. Once obtaining control of the victims, he sexually assaulted them. Only one case was reported to the police department initially. Recognizing the possibility that this convicted sex offender might be involved in similar cases, the detective assigned to the investigation obtained a search warrant. Through evidence collected as a result of serving the warrant, detectives were able to identify 13 additional victims. The 13 victims were interviewed and nine cases were filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Six of the cases were subsequently prosecuted, resulting in four felony convictions. The suspect who had a history of similar incidents for approximately 20 years is now facing more than 60 years in state prison as a "three strike" felon.

Another incident concerned the at tempted kidnap and car jacking of a woman and her child on Ocean Avenue. The subsequent arrest by Santa Monica officers led detectives to identify the suspect as being a fugitive from the state prison system in Hawaii. Detectives also learned through interrogation of the suspect that he had committed a rape, kidnapping and assault in Hawaii and left the victims bound in a cane field. A coordinated effort between Santa Monica detectives and detectives from the Island of Maui resulted in more than 20 serious felony charges being filed against the suspect in Hawaii. The suspect was also convicted of the attempted car jacking and kidnapping in Santa Monica and was sent to prison for eleven years pending his extradition to Hawaii.

The year 1995 was the second full year that a detective was assigned to the Miscellaneous Investigative Unit, solely to investigate domestic violence cases. Although the detective is limited because of light duty status, the fact that a detective is responsible only for investigating domestic violence cases has proved to be a more efficient method of handling these investigations, particularly as the number of domestic violence assaults was on the increase. That may be due to more accurate reporting by victims and witnesses, and the sensationalism surrounding the domestic violence issue at the recent double murder trial.

This year, OCI staff noted that in addition to domestic violence-related assaults, numerous cases under the headings of threats, annoying phone calls, stalking, malicious mischief and court order violations were domestic violence-related incidents that were not documented as domestic violence cases. A new procedure was developed to help track domestic violence incidents not involving actual physical assaults. A tracking mechanism was added to the current Investigative Management Information System (IMIS) computer program to flag the cases and alert detectives. It was hoped that the number of domestic violence related incidents investigated by OCI personnel could be more accurately recorded. Workload indicators in the future will reflect the increased numbers resulting from the tracking program.

Crimes Against Property

The Crimes Against Property Section is comprised of the following units: Burglary, Auto Theft, Forgery/Fraud, and Warrants and Juvenile investigations. The section has one sergeant and ten investigators assigned to investigate these crimes.

The Auto Theft Unit investigates offenses involving the unlawful taking and use of motor vehicles. This includes crimes from embezzlement to the actual or attempted theft of a vehicle. Unit investigators track theft and recovery patterns in the city, providing that information to patrol to enhance their ability to prevent auto thefts and arrest car thieves. Detectives also study methods suspects use to steal cars in order to detect changing modus operandi. Investigators constantly liaison with other local, state and federal agencies to ensure that information about regional auto theft patterns are detected and addressed. The Department assigns one full-time investigator to the TaskForce for Regional Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP). At the request of OCI, TRAP was asked to assist auto theft detectives in the arrest of individuals running a "chop shop," a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) switch operation at a local body shop. Investigation led to the arrest of two suspects, the seizure of stolen auto parts and recovery of a stolen boat engine worth approximately $50,000. Detective Gary Steiner has been assigned to TRAP for over two years and continues to help impact regional auto theft rings responsible for numerous local auto thefts.

The Burglary Unit investigates residential, commercial and auto burglaries. In addition, the unit handles grand theft, malicious mischief and larceny. This year, detectives handled twelve "three strikes" residential burglary cases. In each case, the suspect was convicted and sent to state prison. In one case the suspect received 196 years in state prison. In another, the suspect received 59 years. Pawn tickets serve as a useful tool to apprehend burglary suspects. By auditing pawn tickets, investigators find invaluable leads which identify active burglars and help recover victims' property. As a result of their persistence, numerous burglaries were solved during the year by comparing the description of stolen property with the description of property pawned in the city.

The Forgery/Fraud Unit investigates all offenses involving checks, credit cards and counterfeit documents, as well as bunco schemes. Staff works closely with the City Attorney and District Attorney's Consumer Protection Sections to ensure the public's protection from telemarketing scams and similar schemes that prey upon unsuspecting individuals. Generally, the unit's investigations are very complicated and time consuming. To assist with case presentation, unit detectives have the services of a reserve officer volunteer. His assistance has saved the Department hundreds of hours. The unit completed a complicated embezzlement investigation with a loss in excess of $1,000,000,000 perpetrated by an executive officer of a locally based nationwide corporation. The investigation took over a year to complete and involved the Major Fraud Section of the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Federal officials became involved due to losses which occurred in out of state subsidiaries of the corporation. At the completion of the Department's investigation, the FBI asked to take over the case due to the seriousness of the federal violations. Their results are still pending.

The unit also provides information to the medical community about elder abuse issues. Elder abuse cases often involve fraud, but they can range from actual physical abuse to financial and psychological abuse incidents. Due to the frail nature of many of the victims, they are often unable to provide accurate and credible information that would lead to the identification and prosecution of suspects. After lengthy investigations, many of these cases are referred to social service agencies in order to provide services that meet the needs of victims on an individual basis.

Due to more accurate reporting of elder abuse incidents by agencies of the Department of Social Service, hospitals and other care providers, OCI has seen an increase in this area also. A tracking mechanism was established in 1995 which issues a case number to each report. The case is then assigned to a detective. However, because of the volume of cases involved, the reserve officer volunteer helps conduct investigations.

The Warrant/Extradition Unit has two areas of specific interest. First is the service of arrest warrants and the extradition of suspects arrested in other jurisdictions. Second is the licensing of second hand dealers, taxi cabs, vendors and catering trucks. During the year, unit staff developed a new method of displaying permits on the more than 250 licensed cabs in Santa Monica. This greatly increased the Department's ability to effectively enforce cab licensing requirements, particularly limiting the ability of "bandit" cabs to operate in the area.

The Juvenile Unit consists of two police officers, Jim Archer and Mike Smith. The unit investigates sexual assault/abuse, physical abuse, pornography, neglect, endangerment and abduction cases involving juveniles. In one case, unit officers initiated an inquiry into two physical abuse cases where both juveniles were in critical condition. Both children were removed from the custody of their parents and placed in long-term foster care. Another case of child pornography and molestation involved several law enforcement agencies from other states. If convicted, the suspect faces a sentence of 215 years in state prison.

Officers' duties also include investigating cases of juvenile offenders. Examples of cases handled by them are petty thefts, narcotics, alcohol-related crimes and issuing Q-citations for minor offenses. If a juvenile commits an offense, Investigators have several options in adjudicating the case. They can counsel the juvenile, refer him or her to a diversion program or petition the minor to Juvenile Court. In 1995, the unit investigated 112 runaways, issued 317 misdemeanor Q-cites for minor infractions, handled 596 truants and 620 juvenile arrests. The arrests resulted in 322 diversions and 298 petitions.

Investigative Support

The Investigative Support Section consists of Case Management, Court Liaison, Domestic Violence Counseling, Youth Services Investigator and Clerical Support Units. Detective Bird is the Case Management Officer. His job entails reading and evaluating all reports forwarded to the OCI. He then categorizes them according to their solvability factors and distributes them to the appropriate investigator. By this process, cases are handled in an expedient and efficient manner. Because of the detective's vast experience as an investigator, the management concept has served as a model of efficiency.

Domestic violence is a major area of focus for the Office of Criminal Investigations. Cory Rytterager is the Domestic Violence Counselor (DMV) conducting training sessions with physicians and other medical care providers on mandatory reporting laws for domestic violence and child abuse victims. In October, DVC Rytterager initiated a new program at McKinley Elementary School. It reaches out to non-English speaking parents and informs them of laws concerning domestic violence and child abuse. Target audiences are Latin, Asian and Russian families. Rytterager recruited Facilitator Maria Robinson and School Counselor Dilette from McKinley to assist her at the highly successful weekly meetings that take place on the school campus. Because of public interest, the program was expanded to include Edison School.

Lectures in the junior and senior high schools on recognizing and reporting sexual abuse continued. Initially, the curriculum was designed for female students only, but there was interest in including male students and plans are underway to do so. Because of public interest and the importance of these issues, school programs will remain a central part of the Domestic Violence Unit.

Rene Talbott, the Youth Services Investigator, continued to provide close support to the Juvenile Unit. The main thrust of his services is providing counseling to youthful offenders and their families to divert the young people from the juvenile justice system. An individual evaluation is conducted in each case, followed by an appropriate referral or a more structured sanction.

Court Liaison Officer, Rita Tovar, continued to provide cost savings to the Department by diligent management of the pre-trial conference program. The program, devised by Detective Connie Brucker and implemented by Tovar, evaluates pending court cases and eliminates unnecessary witness expense. Both individuals received the Santa Monica Police Department's Medal of Merit for their innovation.

Case Clearances

FBI Uniform Crime Report (UCR) rules allow a case to be cleared by "arrest" or by "exceptional means." To be "cleared by arrest," at least one person is arrested, charged with the commission of the offense, and turned over to the court for prosecution. Although no physical arrest is made, a clearance by "arrest" can be claimed when the offender is a person under 18 years of age and is cited to appear in juvenile court or before other juvenile authorities. The number of offenses, not the number of persons arrested, are counted for case clearance purposes.

An "exceptional means" clearance must meet all of the following criteria: The investigation definitely established the identify of the offender; there is enough information to support arresting, charging and turning the case over to the court for prosecution; the exact location of the offender is known so that he/she could be taken into custody now; and there is some reason outside of law enforcement control that precludes arresting, charging, and prosecuting the offender.

Table 2 below displays the case clearance records from 1991 to 1995. In 1995, there were 1,562 Part I crimes cleared out of the 8,069 which occurred, a 19.4% clearance rate. This compares very favorably against the preceding four years including the 1994 clearance rate of 16.6%.

In a year, some crime categories may have relatively small numbers, e.g., homicide, which may result in a case clearance rate greater than 100%. This is due to the fact that crimes may occur during one year and, through a continuing investigation, be solved in an ensuing year. The crime itself is recorded during the year in which it occurs, but the case is reported cleared when an arrest is made or the offender is identified.

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This page was last modified on 01/26/2008

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