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May 23 - May 29, 2025 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
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Hollywood Man Charged in Deadly Attempted Robbery on 3rd Street Promenade Santa Monica Police Say Planned AfterHours Sale Turned Violent
Hollywood resident Karen Melikyan, 41, has been arrested and charged in connection with a deadly attempted robbery that unfolded during an afterhours meeting at a Santa Monica business on May 18, police said Monday. Officers with the Santa Monica Police Department responded around 9:30 p.m. to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at a storefront in the 1300 block of 3rd Street Promenade. Officers arrived within two minutes and began investigating the scene. Detectives determined that the store owner had arranged a private meeting with Melikyan, a known associate, when
a second suspect entered the business and sprayed the owner with a chemical irritant. During the ensuing struggle, the legally armed store owner shot the intruder. The suspect was transported to a hospital, where he later died. Identification of the deceased is pending notification of the next of kin. Melikyan was detained at the scene and later booked on charges of homicide (187(a) PC), robbery, and conspiracy. The store owner was not injured and is fully cooperating with investigators. Police believe the incident was targeted and involved individuals who knew one another. Authorities emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Martin Jauregui at (310) 4584852 or Martin.Jauregui@santamonica. gov, Detective Sergeant Chad Goodwin at (310) 458-8774 or Chad.Goodwin@ santamonica.gov, or SMPD Watch Commander (24/7): (310) 458-8427.
Woman’s Car Stolen from UCLA Valet in Santa Monica While Visiting Husband in ICU
Couple Left Without Vehicle During Cancer Treatment After Thief Stole Keys Brittney Mickles-McQuirter, a local Montessori school teacher, says she parked
her 2025 Honda CR-V with UCLA Medical Center valet staff shortly before midnight on May 12. Hours later, she was informed by hospital workers that a man, believed to be unhoused, allegedly accessed the valet stand, took her keys, and drove off with the vehicle. The theft occurred while MicklesMcQuirter remained inside the hospital with her husband, Joe McQuirter, who has been in the ICU since April 18, recovering from cancer-related complications. The couple, married just last October, now
finds themselves without transportation and vital personal items that were left inside the vehicle. Video surveillance reportedly captured the theft, but Mickles-McQuirter says she has not been granted access to review the footage. She filed a report with UCLA campus police, who confirmed that an investigation is ongoing. UCLA released a statement that said, “We apologize for this unfortunate incident. A police report was filed, and our insurance carrier is investigating.”
Despite receiving a temporary five-day rental car from the hospital, MicklesMcQuirter says she is responsible for the insurance costs. Using an Apple AirTag attached to the keychain, loved ones have attempted to track the stolen vehicle, but each lead has come up short. To help cover mounting medical expenses and replace their vehicle, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched, and you can read more and contribute here.