On Sunday, June 3, 2007, at approximately 8 A.M., Santa Monica Police Officers responded to the 1500 block of Palisades Park regarding a subject who was lying on a park bench adjacent to the Senior Citizen Center with blood on his face and passed out. When the officers arrived, they determined the subject was dead. Although this is an on-going murder investigation, it appears the victim died as a result of blunt force trauma that he received to his head. It is unknown how long the victim had been dead prior to being discovered.
The murder victim has been identified as Reza Homabadi Tehrani. Tehrani is 37 years old and believed to be homeless.
The murder suspect has been identified as Joshua Dante Chiaromonte, M/W 32 years old and homeless.
On Monday, June 4, 2007, Detectives from the Santa Monica Police Department, after reviewing public video images of the Downtown area were able to identify Chiaromonte. A photograph of Chiaromonte was put on a police bulletin and officers assigned to the 3rd Street Promenade detail were able to identify him.
On Sunday, June 3, 2007, at 6 A.M., Chiaromonte was arrested by the Santa Monica Police Department for trespassing and a probation violation. He was transported to LAX Court for these charges. After Chiaromonte was identified by the officers assigned to the Promenade, detectives went to the courthouse and arrested Chiaromonte for Tehrani’s murder.
Chiaromonte is also believed to be responsible for another assault and attempted murder that occurred on Sunday, June 3, 2007, at approximately 2 A.M. in the 200 block of Santa Monica Blvd. In this incident, the victim’s injuries were also caused by blunt forced trauma. The victim was hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries. The victim in this incident has been identified as John Pohlman who is 59 years old and is also homeless.
Chiaromonte was previously charged and convicted of a similar assault which occurred in Santa Monica in December 2006. In this incident, the victim was also homeless. Chiaromonte was released and placed on probation after serving time in jail.
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 WeTip national hotline at 1.800.78.CRIME (27463). Callers with information leading to an arrest and conviction may become eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
