On July 2, 2021 at approximately 1:20 a.m., the Santa Monica Public Safety Dispatch Center received calls regarding a traffic collision at the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier. Officers were dispatched and upon arrival witnesses provided information regarding the driver that had exited the vehicle and walked away on Ocean Ave. Additional information was obtained that suggested that the same vehicle was involved in a pedestrian hit and run near the 100 block of Colorado prior to crashing into the barricade on the Pier. During the officers’ investigation, it was determined that the vehicle had been carjacked near a downtown parking structure.
The male and female victims were exiting Downtown Parking Structure #8 when approached by Preston B. Rochon, a 30-year-old male originally from Texas. Rochon attempted to grab and made reference to sexually assaulting the female causing the male victim to intervene. During the physical altercation the victim’s vehicle was taken. When the male victim chased after the vehicle, Rochon reversed and ran him over before proceeding to crash into the barricade on the Pier.
The male victim was transported to a local hospital with significant injuries, and at the time of this release continues to be in stable condition. The female victim was later treated at a local hospital for minor injuries.
Rochon was located a short distance away by a SMPD officer and was taken into custody without further incident. Rochon was subsequently booked for the following:
• 664/187 (a) PC – Attempt Homicide
• 245 (a)(1) PC – Assault with a Deadly Weapon
• 215 (a) PC – Carjacking
• 220 PC – Assault to Commit a Sexual Act
Anyone with additional information pertaining to this incident is strongly encouraged to contact Detective Burciaga with the Criminal Investigations Division at 310-458- 8932 or the Santa Monica Department’s Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458- 8427.
Submitted by Lieutenant Rudy Flores
