By Lookout Staff

June 12, 2024 -- A man arrested for shooting a Santa Monica resident during a failed home invasion robbery in August 2016 was convicted last week after a multi-year investigation.

Vacho Shahen (Courtesy SMPD)

Vacho Shahen, 39 of Las Vegas, was convicted by a jury on 16 of 17 felony charges in connection to four LA area home invasions that took place within a two-week period, police said. Aided by DNA evidence collected in Santa Monica, investigators linked Shahen to two home invasions in Beverly Hills and another in Downey. Shahen, who was arrested in Philadelphia, in 2018, is scheduled for sentencing on June 24 in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. He faces up to 30 years in prison.

"Officers discovered the homeowner had been shot once in the torso during what was determined to be a failed robbery attempt," said Lt. Erika Aklufi, the Police Department spokesperson.

According to police, the victim was awakened by a man in dark clothing wearing a mask like the one used in the movie “Scream”, according to Lt. Saul Rodriguez.

Neighbors told police they heard a women scream and two gunshots around 6 a.m.

The suspect fled and the homeowner was taken at UCLA hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The jury last week convicted Shahen after a three-week trial, Aklufi said. He will first serve a prison sentence in Pennsylvania before serving time in California for the LA-area crimes.

"While this case has been resolved, SMPD reminds residents to take proactive steps in enhancing their home security," police officials said.

SMPD offers free home security assessments to all residents to "help identify potential vulnerabilities and provide recommendations to better secure your home."

To schedule an assessment, please contact our Community Affairs Unit at 310-458- 8474.