Santa Monica Police Identify Suspect in Jewelry Store Robbery

By Lookout Staff

March 2, 2018 -- Santa Monica police have identified the suspect who robbed a Montana Avenue jewelry store and remains at large after an intensive manhunt Thursday in the city's wealthiest neighborhood.

The suspect -- identified as Robert Art Abalov, a 32-year-old Los Angeles resident -- is considered dangerous, police said.

Robert Art Abalov (Photo courtesy SMPD)

Abalov is approximately 5’7” tall, weighs approximately 145 pounds and has brown short hair and brown eyes. "His current whereabouts are unknown," said Lt. Saul Rodriguez, the police department spokesman. "Abalov should be considered dangerous." Police ask that anyone who sees Ablov should immediately call 911 or the local law enforcement agency. "Do not attempt to contact him," Rodriguez said.

Abalov is the primary suspect in the robbery that took place at around 5:30 p.m. Thursday at "Curated Los Angeles," a jewelry store on the 1600 block of Montana Avenue ("Suspect Remains at Large after Robbing Montana Avenue Jewelry Store," March 1, 2018).

The suspect fled in a vehicle, hitting several parked cars before fleeing on foot through the North of Montana Neighborhood.

Residents tracked him through backyards on social media as the manhunt unfolded ("Neighbors Take to Online Sites as Manhunt for Suspect in Santa Monica Robbery Unfolds," March 2, 2018).

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad detonated a mysterious device found in the car, police said. Its contents are under investigation..

"Following a preliminary investigation and evidence collected at the crime scene, SMPD Detectives have identified Abalov as the primary suspect involved in the robbery," Rodriguez said.

Anyone with information related to this case should call the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.