Man Arrested for Stealing Newspapers

By Lookout Staff

April 9 -- A man was arrested Thursday after stealing hundreds of newspapers from Downtown vending boxes, police said.

Tipped off that the newspapers were disappearing, detectives from the Office of Special Enforcement conducted a surveillance at various locations Downtown and caught Miguel Martinez, 37, of Los Angeles, in the act shortly before sunrise, police said.

The officers saw Martinez remove two armloads of Santa Monica Mirror newspapers from the news rack located in front of the Santa Monica Courthouse, said Lt. Frank Fabrega, the police department spokesman.

The officers followed the suspect, who committed a total of six consecutive thefts of newspapers from Downtown news racks.

Detectives then pulled over Martinez’s late model, black truck at 7th and Montana and took the suspect into custody.

Officers found 400 copies of the Santa Monica Mirror, 213 copies of the Daily News, 160 copies of the Santa Monica Daily Press, 26 copies of the City Beat, 16 copies the Daily Bruin and 11 copies of La Opinion.

Martinez also had in his possession 192 slugs, a fake coin used to open the vending machines.

The suspect’s vehicle was impounded and Martinez was transported to the jail, where he was booked for petty theft and possession of slugs. Bail has been set at $1,000.

Anyone with any additional information regarding this incident or prior incidents should call the Santa Monica Police Department at 310.458.8491.