Authorities in Santa Monica are continuing their investigation into the large fight that occurred near the Santa Monica Pier on June 29, and they are now asking the public for their help in making more arrests.
Reports of the brawl came in around 2:21 p.m. on the 29th on the beach near Tower 14, and a Santa Monica Police Department drone quickly confirmed the active fight, police said.
Dozens of officers responded and broke up the fight, which began when a street vendor attacked several beachgoers, Santa Monica Police Department officials stated.
“The vendor approached a group of beachgoers and sexually battered several females,” SMPD said in a statement. “Others in the group confronted [the vendor] who then requested assistance from fellow vendors.”
The other vendors then armed themselves with umbrella poles, belts and at least one knife, police added.
The original assailant was identified as Efigenio Tacuba, 30. He was taken into custody and charged with three counts of sexual battery and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon.
According to Santa Monica law enforcement officials, three others were arrested and charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. They were identified as 29-year-old Jorge Luis Cruz Murcia, 39-year-old Samuel Manzanarez Hernandez and 47-year-old Oscar Samuel Hernandez.
To aid their investigation, the Santa Monica Police Department is asking the public for any information regarding the incident – particularly cell phone video footage – to contact them by calling the SMPD Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
Individuals looking to submit video footage can also contact Detective Holloway by emailing Jacob.Holloway@santamonica.gov
Additional arrests are likely to follow, SMPD added.