CONVICTION - 2016 Home Invasion Incident
June 12, 2024 12:01 PM
In the early morning of August 28, 2016, SMPD Officers responded to a ‘shots fired’ call at a residence in the 600 block of Adelaide Drive, Santa Monica.
Officers discovered the homeowner had been shot once in the torso during what was determined to be a failed robbery attempt. The victim survived after being treated at UCLA hospital.
A multi-year investigation, aided by DNA evidence, linked this incident to additional home invasions in Beverly Hills and Downey. All four incidents occurred within a two-week period in 2016. The suspect, Vacho Shahen (39) of Las Vegas, was ultimately arrested in Philadelphia, PA, in 2018.
Last week, after a three-week trial, Shahen was convicted by a jury on 16 of 17 felony charges. Sentencing is scheduled for June 24 in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
While this case has been resolved, SMPD reminds residents to take proactive steps in enhancing their home security. To support this effort, SMPD offers free home security assessments to all residents. These assessments help identify potential vulnerabilities and provide recommendations to better secure your home. To schedule an assessment, please contact our Community Affairs Unit at 310-458- 8474.
For additional information regarding this investigation, please contact Sgt. Chad Goodwin at 310-458-8931 or Lt. Erika Aklufi at 310-458-8493.
Media Contact
Erika Aklufi
Lieutenant
Erika.Aklufi@santamonica.gov
