Attempted Robbery Disrupts School’s Lunchtime

By Teresa Rochester

Jan. 15 -- Santa Monica High School students were barred from eating lunch off campus Tuesday as police investigated an attempted robbery nearby.

Police responded to the corner of 9th Street and Michigan Avenue at around 12:24 p.m. where they found a man who had been held-up at knifepoint lying on the ground, with his alleged assailant standing over him.

The unidentified victim, who police say is a day laborer, told officers that he was walking on the sidewalk when he was approached by the suspect, who demanded his money while wielding a knife.

The suspect then hit the man with his fist, knocking him to the ground, SMPD spokesman Lt. Frank Fabrega said. The suspect, identified as Francisco Salinas, 29, allegedly kicked his victim several times as he lay on the ground.

The victim’s face was bruised in the attack, but he refused medical treatment. Salinas, who did not try run from officers when they arrived at the scene, was arrested and is being held on $50,000 bail, Fabrega said.

School Supt. John Deasy said that Samohi students were kept inside the school at lunchtime for their safety.

"No students were involved," he told the PTA Council. "No kids were harmed."