Homeless Man Faces Charges In Santa Monica Hot Prowl Burglary

SANTA MONICA, CA — The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office Monday filed one count of burglary against a 36-year-old homeless man suspected in a hot prowl burglary in Santa Monica, authorities said.

The hot prowl was reported around 6:20 p.m. on March 24 in the 1800 block of Warwick Avenue, near Exposition Boulevard, according to Lt. Rudy Flores of the Santa Monica Police Department.

The resident told officers that she came home and confronted an unknown man who was holding a stick and standing in her living room, Flores said. She gave officers with a detailed description of the suspect.

Officers searched for the suspect but did not find him, Flores said. They found the house was ransacked and located the window the suspect used to get inside the home.

"A neighbor witnessed a male matching the same description of the suspect, jump off the roof, and run away from the residence," Flores said. "When he observed uniformed SMPD officers, he directed them to the suspect’s last known direction of travel. Patrol officers detained a male matching the suspect’s description, around 34th Street and Exposition Boulevard."

Raymond Harry Purnell, 36, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and transported to the Santa Monica Police Jail. His bail was set at $50,000 and his next court date will be April 12 at LAX Superior Court.

"Officers located miscellaneous cards belonging to one of the residents, on Purnell’s person," Flores said.

No further details were immediately released. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any additional information about this incident is strongly encouraged to contact SMPD Detective Chabot at 310-458-2201 ext. 6679 or the watch commander at 310-458-8426.