On December 23, 2004, at 6:30 pm, Santa Monica Police responded to the 900 block of Montana regarding an armed robbery in progress.  When officers arrived they were met by the victim who said the suspect was last seen on foot westbound on Montana Ave.  Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect entered the store, displayed a handgun and demanded money.  After receiving the money the suspect left the business on foot.

Responding officers were told that the suspect was seen boarding a bus at Lincoln Blvd. and Montana Ave.  Another officer began following the bus and at 4^th Street and Wilshire Blvd. the bus was stopped by the officers.  Once the bus was stopped, the suspect exited the bus and ran while being pursued by officers.  The suspect was eventually taken into custody with the aid of Police K-9 Rex.  While officers were struggling with the suspect, he attempted to pull a handgun from his waistband.  After the suspect was taken into custody, officers recovered a handgun and an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency taken in the armed robbery.

The suspect has been identified as Donald Harris, M/B, 46 years of age.  Harris was recently parole on November 5, 2004, after serving 16 years of a 32-year prison sentence for armed robbery.  Harris was booked at the Santa Monica Jail and charged with armed robbery and parole violation, no bail.