Crime Watch: Keys to not getting robbed
Crime Watch is a weekly series culled from reports provided by the Santa Monica Police Department. These are arrests only. All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 12:05 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the 500 block of Adelaide Drive regarding an auto burglary. When they arrived they made contact with a woman who said she parked her car and left to run the Fourth Street stairs. For some reason she felt it was safe enough to leave her car keys and a water bottle at the top of the stairs while she worked out. As she was running back up a witness told her that a man took her keys and entered her car. She ran to the car and found her keys and that $400 was missing from inside. The witness said the suspect was the same person who parked behind the victim. Officers got his license plate information. Investigators were able to identify the suspect and the next day went to his home in Santa Monica and arrested him for burglary and a probation violation. Officers searched his car and said they found evidence related to the auto burglary. The suspect was identified as Niko Justin Williams, 19, of Santa Monica. No bail was set.
Tuesday, Dec. 25, at 4:24 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1700 block of Ocean Avenue — JW Marriott Santa Monica Le Merigot hotel — regarding a report of a possible fraud occurring there. When officers arrived they spoke with an employee at the hotel who told them that they received a call from someone who said that their credit card was being used at the hotel without their consent. Hotel staff went to a room rented in the name of the alleged victim and confirmed that the suspect was still inside. As they were speaking with officers, the employees saw the man, who was in a wheelchair, roll past them in the lobby. Officers detained the suspect, who later admitted that he did use a fake name and credit card so he could stay in a nice hotel for Christmas, police said. The suspect was placed under arrest for burglary, theft/use of a credit card, providing false information to officers, theft with priors and a probation violation. The suspect was on probation for fraud and theft, police said. He was identified as Kevin Alan Moore, 57, a transient. His bail was set at $45,000.
Monday, Dec. 24, at 2:24 p.m.,
Officers assigned to the Third Street Promenade bike patrol responded to the 100 block of Colorado Avenue regarding a report of a strong-arm robbery. When officers arrived they made contact with the alleged victim and got a description of the suspect, who was detained about a block away. The alleged victim told officers that he is employed at a store inside Santa Monica Place and was walking to work along the 100 block of Colorado Avenue when a man approached him from behind and demanded he give him his jacket. When the man ignored the suspect he allegedly threatened to beat him up. The victim ran off and called police. The suspect was positively identified and placed under arrest for attempted robbery. He was identified as Andrew Paul Brandenburg, 33, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
Sunday, Dec. 23, at 12:30 a.m.,
Officers were on patrol on the 2900 block of Neilson Way when they were flagged down by a man seeking assistance. Officers made contact with the man, who told them that he had just discovered that his girlfriend had been cheating on him and he was trying to break off the relationship, police said. He told them that she only left him alone when police arrived. Officers contacted the woman to verify the story and they immediately determined that she was intoxicated. Before officers could separate the two, the woman allegedly struck the man in the face and pushed him. She then turned toward officers and asked to be taken to jail. When one officer grabbed her arm, she struck the officer in the chest twice, police said. The suspect was placed under arrest for assault and transported to jail where she was booked for spousal battery, battery on a police officer, obstruction and public intoxication. She was identified as Brenda Zarazu, 24, of South Gate, Calif. Bail was set at $20,000.
Friday, Dec. 21, at 8:05 p.m.,
Officers assigned to a burglary suppression detail were on patrol on the 1500 block of Alley 6 when they saw a man riding a bicycle in front of them. As they watched the man they saw that he was looking into the rear of several subterranean garages. Once he reached 626 Broadway, officers said the man tried to pry open a gate leading to a garage. When officers made themselves known, the suspect quickly turned around and told officers he wasn’t doing anything. He told officers that he did not know anyone in the building. Police said because the man was seen looking into locked garages he was placed under arrest for prowling. He was identified as Daniel Ochoa, 24. He declined to state where he lived. His bail was set at $5,000.
Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 8:13 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1100 block of Santa Monica Boulevard regarding a report of a disturbance onboard an MTA bus. When officers arrived they made contact with one of two people arguing, as the other one had left. The man was argumentative and refused to cooperate, police said. Due to his aggressive behavior, police searched the suspect for weapons and found a switchblade knife. He was placed under arrest and transported to jail where he was booked for possession of a switchblade and a probation violation. He was identified as Steven Arena, 50, of Long Beach, Calif. No bail was set.
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
