Suspects Rob Hotel Guests, try to Run Over Officers

By Lookout Staff

January 3 -- Two suspects were arrested early Sunday morning after robbing guests at a local hotel, trying to run over police officers and fleeing the scene of an accident, police said.

Timothy James Kirkpatrick, 25, of Westlake Village, and Megan Jean Fitzpatrick, 22, of West Hills were arrested after holding up fellow guests of a hotel in the 1400 block of Ocean Avenue at around 4:30 a.m., police said.

“The woman was distracting the hotel clerk, while the man stole the luggage” stored behind the counter, said Lt. Frank Fabrega, the Police Department spokesman.

The suspects took the luggage to their rooms, where they rummaged through the contents, stealing select items, Fabrega said.

They were attempting to leave the scene when responding officers arrived, he said.

“As they fled, the driver attempted to run over the officers with his vehicle,” Fabrega said. “The officers were able to move from the path of the fleeing vehicle and were not injured.”

The fleeing suspects were then involved in an accident and struck the curb at Ocean and Arizona Avenues, Fabrega said. The airbag deployed and the suspects fled from the disabled vehicle.

A witness saw the suspects running and called police, Fabrega said.

Police established a perimeter and with the assistance of Police K-9 “Duke” located the suspects hiding in the area, he said. Police recovered stolen property and narcotics from the suspect’s vehicle.

After witnesses positively identified the suspects during a field show-up, the two were arrested and later transported to the Santa Monica Jail, Fabrega said.

A preliminary investigation revealed there were victims other than those at the hotel, he said.

“They had a lot of stuff, not only clothing, but jewelry and miscellaneous identification,” Fabrega said.

The two suspects were each booked for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, burglary, an outstanding felony warrant charging robbery and burglary and a parole violation. No bail was set. Both suspects were also booked for several narcotic violations.

Anyone having additional information regarding this incident should call the Santa Monica Police Department at 310-458-8491. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may also call the We-Tip national hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463).