While the police were investigating a robbery near the Metro Train station, a 32 year old homeless dude jumped on top of a detectives unmarked police vehicle, poured gas on it, and set it on fire.
The incident on February 25th surprised even officers for its brazen disregard for the consequences. The press release from SMPD's public information officer Lt. Rudy Flores follows:
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has filed charges on George Joosten, a 32-year-old white male, for lighting a police vehicle on fire.
On February 25, 2021 at approximately 6:04 PM, Santa Monica Police Officers were investigating a robbery incident and detaining the involved suspects at the 4th Street Metro train station.
One of their unmarked police vehicles was left at the intersection of 5th and Colorado with its emergency lights activated. A male suspect, unrelated to the call officers were investigating, was observed by witnesses jump on top of that vehicle, pour an unknown substance over the hood, then igniting it on fire. The suspect fled the area before being stopped by officers. Witnesses positively identified Joosten as being the person causing the arson. The fire was extinguished by police personnel utilizing a fire-extinguisher.
Earlier this morning Los Angeles County's District Attorney's Officer Charged Joosten with 451(d) P.C. – Arson. Joosten remains in custody pending future court proceedings.
Anyone with additional information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Detective A. Buus with the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) at (310) 458-8943 or the Watch Commander's office at (310) 458-2249.
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