On December 30, 2006, at 7:10 pm, Santa Monica Police Officers patrolling the Pico Neighborhood attempted to stop a vehicle for a series of Vehicle Code violations. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop and as the officers were following the vehicle, one of the occupants threw an item out of the vehicle. This item was recovered and found to be a handgun. The vehicle was finally stopped in the 2800 block of Pearl Street.  The vehicle’s three occupants were arrested.

Taken into custody were Benjamin Arroyo (driver), male Hispanic, 30 years of age from Santa Monica; Guillermo Castell, male Hispanic, 18 years of age from Santa Monica; and Kevin Morales, male Hispanic, 19 years of age from Santa Monica. All three were arrested and charged with being gang members in possession of a firearm, various narcotics offenses (narcotics and narcotics paraphernalia were found in the vehicle when it was searched), and for offenses associated with their participation in a criminal street gang.

Anyone having information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Robbery/Homicide Detail of the Santa Monica Police Department at 310.458.8451 or the Watch Commander’s Office at 310.458.8427.  Callers who wish to provide anonymous information may also call the We-Tip national hotline at 1.800.78.CRIME (27463).  Callers with information may be eligible for to receive a reward up to $1,000.