PICO BLVD — Santa Monica police were forced to close down a small portion of Pico Boulevard Thursday afternoon after a man, possibly on drugs, began throwing chunks of concrete at passing cars from the roof of a beauty salon.
Authorities said the man, described as an African American in his 30s, jumped from the roof after police tried to apprehend him and landed on an awning before hitting the pavement below. He was placed under arrest and transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The suspect’s name and the extent of his injuries were not immediately available. The man jumped from roughly 30 to 40 feet up.
SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis said police received a report of a man throwing concrete or bricks from the roof of Karla’s Beauty Salon located on the 2000 block of Pico Boulevard around 1 p.m. When officers arrived, they said the man seemed agitated and was sweating profusely.
Police closed off at least two blocks and set up a perimeter, but not before the suspect chucked one block of concrete at a car, hitting one of its windows. The motorist was not injured, Lewis said.
The suspect was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a small knife. He will most likely be booked for being under the influence, possession of narcotics and for throwing a dangerous object at a moving vehicle.
Police reopened Pico Boulevard near 20th Street after roughly 40 minutes. A large crowd of onlookers gathered around the police perimeter to watch the arrest.
kevinh@www.smdp.com
