On Feb. 27 at approximately 3:30 p.m., Santa Monica police officers were driving an ALPR-equipped vehicle, which sends an alert when a stolen vehicle is in the area, in the 1500 block of Ocean Avenue when they received a hit.
Officers followed the vehicle and called for backup after confirming it was in fact reported stolen.
The driver, later identified as Gailvonni Stone, 28, of Los Angeles, was ordered to step out of the vehicle, and he complied. When officers spoke to Stone, he stated that his female friend had let him borrow the car. He then provided her phone number.
When officers attempted to contact the registered car owner, they were sent to voicemail. A call was then made to Stone's friend. The female subject on the phone stated that she never let Stone borrow a car, as she does not have the ability to own a car. She went on to state that Stone had stolen her backpack the day before.
When officers were finally able to reach the registered owner, he told them that his ex-girlfriend had gone to his house about a week before and they got into an argument. After the incident, his keys went missing and his vehicle was stolen out of the Los Angeles area on Feb. 20.
Based on the officers' investigation, it was believed that Stone's statements were false. Officers arrested Stone for grand theft auto. He was also found to be on probation for burglary. He was held without bail.
Note: Crime Watch is culled from reports provided by the Santa Monica Police Department. These are arrests only. All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
