INSIDE
Off-site Affordable Housing program sparks doubleproject expansion in Santa Monica smmirror.com
July 17 – July 23, 2026 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
See Page 5
Six Arrested in Lobster Poaching Sting at Santa Monica Pier Officers, aided by specially trained canines, located lobsters hidden in duffel bags, backpacks, vehicles and even a baby stroller
California wildlife officers arrested six people for lobster poaching at the Santa Monica Pier, months after the spiny lobster season had closed. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said officers from across Southern California conducted a recent enforcement operation targeting individuals who continued to illegally harvest lobsters after the season ended March 18. Officers, aided by specially trained canines, located lobsters hidden in duffel bags, backpacks, vehicles and even a baby stroller. They seized 34 lobsters — including several egg-bearing females — and returned them alive to the ocean. Female lobsters produce between 50,000 and 800,000 eggs per year, which they carry for about 10 weeks. The loss of egg-bearing females can significantly
harm the fishery and affect legal anglers, officials said. The six suspects were arrested on multiple violations, including taking lobster out of season, exceeding daily bag
limits, taking undersized lobsters, taking lobster by hook and line, and possessing more than triple the daily bag limit. Penalties for such offenses can include fines of up to $1,000 per violation or up to
one year in jail. CDFW encouraged the public to report wildlife crimes through its CALTIP program by calling 888-334-2258, using the tip411 app, or submitting tips online.
Santa Monica Police Locate Felony Vehicle Tied to Whittier Armed Robbery Officers reported seeing what appeared to be a firearm magazine inside the vehicle
Santa Monica police officers used specialized resources to quickly locate a vehicle wanted in an armed robbery in Whittier, leading to the arrest of the driver without incident on the evening of June 22. Officers, aided by the department’s SMART Center, spotted the vehicle near
Pico Boulevard and Main Street. K9 Norton and his handler located it within minutes and followed it as backup arrived. The vehicle stopped in the area of Ocean Park Boulevard and Main Street, where officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop due to information that the suspects might be armed. The driver, identified as George Jeremiah Romero, was taken into custody without incident. Officers reported seeing what appeared to be a firearm magazine inside the vehicle. Whittier police responded to the scene and took custody of both Romero and the vehicle as part of their ongoing investigation.