On February 22, 2025, at approximately 4:12 AM, A Simi Valley Police Unit was in the area of the 5700 block of E. Los Angeles Ave. on routine patrol. The Officer observed a vehicle to the rear of the closed businesses and drove towards the vehicle to further investigate. As the officer approached the vehicle, a suspect with a crowbar exited the rear door of the business and immediately fled on foot into the business complex. A perimeter was established and a search for the suspect was initiated. The Simi Valley Police Department Unmanned Ariel System Drone team was called in to assist with the search of the outstanding suspect.
During the search, officers located another subject walking through a nearby business complex that was also closed. Officers contacted the subject, identified as Marcus Hobbs, a 31 year old male resident of Los Angeles. Mr. Hobbs could not provide a legitimate explanation for being in the area and was detained. Upon further investigation, Mr. Hobbs was later seen on surveillance footage burglarizing the Clean Threads Coin Laundry and subsequently arrested for burglary.
Officers later located the initial suspect by a nearby fast food restaurant. The suspect was identified as Michael Jerome Lawrence, a 29 year old male resident of Los Angeles and arrested for burglary. The vehicle to the rear of the business was associated with the suspects and had a stolen license plate on it that was taken from a vehicle in the neighboring residential area.
