Sheriff reports 44 Part I crimes in July as summer crowds keep deputies busy

By The Malibu Times · Fri Aug 14 2026

Heavy summer crowds, increased traffic, and packed beaches kept Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies busy throughout July, with Malibu recording 44 Part I crimes during the month and several notable arrests, including one involving a stolen vehicle that had allegedly been disguised through an elaborate VIN swap.

Sgt. Chris Soderlund presented the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station’s monthly report to the Malibu City Council on Monday, Aug. 10, saying the past month had been particularly demanding for deputies.

“It’s been extremely busy the past month, in all aspects,” Soderlund said. “The amount of people visiting, which is great, but it also comes with the bad.”

Malibu recorded 44 Part I crimes in July, bringing the city’s year-to-date total to 200. That compares with 149 during the same period last year.

Despite the year-over-year increase, Soderlund said crime remains 26 percent below the five-year average.

“We’re still trending down,” he said.

Soderlund highlighted several arrests made during July. On July 1, four adults were arrested in the 22000 block of Pacific Coast Highway on allegations including battery, carrying a concealed firearm and making criminal threats.

On July 5, a man described by authorities as a transient from Los Angeles was arrested at Carbon Canyon and PCH for felony obstruction after allegedly attempting to bite a deputy.

Another man described as a transient was arrested July 13 near PCH and Carbon Canyon for allegedly possessing a concealed, loaded firearm.

On July 27, deputies arrested a man on suspicion of robbery and battery at Subway, according to Soderlund.

The following day, three suspects were arrested in connection with two vehicle burglaries along PCH. Soderlund said the suspects faced allegations including burglary, identity theft, conspiracy to commit a felony and unauthorized use of credit cards.

Deputies also made five DUI arrests during July. Two of those arrests began when members of the Volunteers on Patrol program spotted suspected impaired drivers and radioed deputies.

“The VOPs have been helping us tremendously over the past month,” Soderlund said.

Beach enforcement intensifies during busy summer

Malibu’s beaches have also presented significant enforcement challenges this summer.

With several weeks remaining before the traditional end of the summer season on Labor Day weekend, Soderlund reported that the Sheriff’s beach team had issued 281 citations for alcohol on the beach, 597 moving violations and 827 parking citations.

Deputies have also towed 344 illegally parked vehicles that authorities determined were creating safety hazards.

The beach team has expanded its patrol presence to areas including Surfrider Beach. Soderlund told the council that deputies patrolling Surfrider generally do so on foot, walking through the lagoon area and back.