Two Assailants From Wisconsin Charged in Armed Robbery on Ocean Avenue

Two suspects apprehended by the Santa Monica Police Department on March 28 have been charged with assault by the LA District Attorney. The two men were among a group of three males who allegedly accosted a couple who were riding scooters late at night in the 1700 Block of Ocean Avenue, near the fancy beach hotels. One of the men lifted his shirt to show the couple he was armed with a gun. Another of the men took the woman's cell phone and three it to the ground so that she would be unable to call for help when they began beating her companion.

Officers from the SMPD were able to find two of the men soon after and discovered that one of them was indeed armed with a high-capacity handgun. Both men are from Wisconsin and one of them has a no-bail warrant for his arrest there.

SMPD official Press release follows:

Santa Monica, CA – On March 30, 2021 the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office filed

the following charges against two felony assault suspects:

1. Lavonn Shawn Johnson, a 21-year-old white male from Wisconsin - One count of

245(A)(4) PC – Assault to Commit Great Bodily Injury, 136.1 PC – Preventing

Someone from Reporting a Crime, and 25850(A) PC – Possession of a Loaded

Firearm.

2. Treyton Thomas Halfman, a 21-year-old black male from Wisconsin - one count of

245(A)(4) PC – Assault to Commit Great Bodily Injury.

On March 28, 2021 at about 10:53 PM, Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD)

officers were dispatched to the area of the 1700 block of Ocean Ave to investigate a

report of an Armed Robbery. Officers met with a couple who explained that they

were riding scooters on Ocean Ave., when they were accosted by three males.

During their encounter, one of the males lifted his shirt and displayed what appeared

to be a handgun in his waistband. Two of the suspects began to physically assault

the male victim and at one point one of the suspects snatched the cellphone from

the female victim and threw it to the ground, preventing her from calling for help. Both

suspects then fled the area.

SMPD officers shortly after located Halfman and Johnson. They were both identified

by the victims as the suspects who assaulted them. Officers recovered a handgun

with a high capacity magazine (15 rounds) on suspect Johnson. Officers later

discovered he had a no-bail warrant from Wisconsin. Both subjects were taken into

custody without incident.

Anyone with additional information pertaining to this incident is strongly encouraged

to contact Detective Larios with the Criminal Investigations Division 310-458-8937 or

Santa Monica Department's Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.