City of Santa Monica, CA
05/19/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/19/2026 16:51
SMPD Arrests Armed Kidnapping Suspect Following Pursuit in Los Angeles
May 19, 2026 1:57 PM
Santa Monica, CA - On May 17, 2026, at approximately 12:14 a.m., Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to the Vons located at 1311 Wilshire Boulevard regarding a reported kidnapping involving an adult victim.
The preliminary investigation indicates Jorge Luis Vega, 32, of Los Angeles, and the victim were known to one another and had been in a dating relationship. This does not appear to be a random incident.
During the incident, Vega allegedly approached the victim in the parking lot and left the area with her in a vehicle. Vega also allegedly threatened a witness who attempted to intervene.
SMPD officers and detectives immediately began efforts to locate the victim and suspect. Later that day, the adult victim was located in the City of Beaumont. She was no longer with Vega and was contacted by law enforcement.
On May 18, 2026, at approximately 3:15 a.m., SMPD personnel located Vega in Los Angeles. Vega fled in a vehicle, and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit ended in the 900 block of West 85th Street in Los Angeles, where an officer involved shooting occurred.
Vega was taken into custody at the scene. No officers were injured, and no gunshot injuries were reported. The victim was not present during the pursuit or officerinvolved shooting.
Vega is currently in custody and was booked on suspicion of:
- Kidnapping
- Criminal Threats
- Brandishing a Firearm
- Rape
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. SMPD is coordinating with the appropriate investigative agencies and will provide additional information as it becomes available.
SMPD is not releasing the victim's identity due to the nature of the investigation.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Hilda Lucero ([email protected]) 310-458-8939, Detective Esteban Hernandez ([email protected]) 310-458-8946, Sgt. Alfonso Lozano ([email protected]) 310-458-8774 or the Santa Monica Police Department Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
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Lewis Gilmour
Lieutenant
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City of Santa Monica, CA published this content on May 19, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 19, 2026 at 22:51 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]