Man Leaves Car Unoccupied & Running With Gun Inside, Police Say

SANTA MONICA, CA — A 22-year-old man Wednesday left a car with the windows rolled down and music blasting — unoccupied and blocking traffic — with an alcoholic beverage and handgun inside, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

Officers saw a vehicle with the hazard lights flashing and playing music Wednesday near the 100 block of Olympic Drive, near Main Street, police said. The incident was about a block away from the police department.

The car was creating a hazard for eastbound traffic, police said.

"In plain view was an alcoholic beverage and a 9mm Beretta 92FS firearm," police said.

The suspect approached the officers and said he was at the Starbucks near Main Street and Olympic Drive and only left the vehicle unattended briefly, police said.

He said he did not have identification and gave officers a false name, police said.

He was later identified as Robert Ambriz-Garcia, 22, of Los Angeles. He was arrested and booked on suspicion of providing false identification, leaving a handgun unsecured in an unattended vehicle and transporting an unsecured firearm in a vehicle.

Anyone with additional information was urged to contact the SMPD Criminal Investigations Division 310-458-451 or Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.

SEE MORE:

• Fire Breaks Out At Santa Monica Apartment
• Police Seek Hit-And-Run Driver Who Seriously Injured Pedestrian
• Man And Woman Suspected Of Armed Robbery In Culver City