Crime Watch: Woman carjacked, dragged down Pico
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.
Saturday, Nov. 24, at 6:16 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers were on patrol at the corner of Pico and Cloverfield boulevards when they saw a Honda Civic suddenly accelerate from its parking space along the south curb of Pico and head east and run a red light. They also saw a woman fall from the passenger side of the car as it drove off. Officers stopped the car a block away. Before they approached the car, the woman who fell out ran up to them and told them that she had just been carjacked. She said she had left her car running as she went to return something she rented. About 30 seconds later, she returned and saw her car rolling away. Thinking she had left the parking break off the woman ran to the passenger side and opened it, only to find two strangers in the car. She was dragged to Cloverfield, where she was able to let go and fall to the street, causing minor injuries. She was dragged roughly 50 feet, police said. She was treated at the scene. Officers placed the suspects under arrest for carjacking. They were identified as Henry Alvarez, 27, and Coral Chavez, 27, both from Compton, Calif. Alvarez was also booked for a probation violation and a child cruelty warrant. His bail was set at $130,000. Bail for Chavez was set at $100,000.
Friday, Nov. 23, at 10:25 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1200 block of Sixth Street regarding a report of a man and a woman breaking into an apartment. When officers arrived, they spoke with a man who lived at the apartment. He told them that while he was inside he heard someone turning his front-door knob. When he turned around he saw the suspects, who immediately closed the door and left. Officers checked the other floors of the apartment complex and saw two people bent over trying to open a front door. Officers detained them, searched them and allegedly recovered a piece of metal they believed was used to pick locks. The suspects were identified by the man in the first apartment and placed under arrest. Francis Hernandez, 31, of Los Angeles, was booked for burglary and possession of burglary tools. His bail was set at $50,000. Gilmar Vera, 29, of Northridge, Calif. was booked for burglary. Her bail was set at $50,000.
Saturday, Nov. 24, at 12:30 a.m.,
Officers responded to a home located on the 1500 block of Michigan Avenue regarding a prowler on the premises. When officers arrived, they saw two people standing at the front of the residence and detained them until the owners could be contacted. A woman told officers that she was sitting in her living room watching television when someone started ringing the door bell for approximately 30 seconds. She walked toward the door to see who was there and saw the door knob moving as if someone was trying to get inside. She went into another room to get a friend to investigate. That’s when they both heard the rear patio door shaking as someone was trying to force their way inside. They called police, and while waiting for officers heard someone walking on the roof. Just before police arrived, the homeowner said she heard a female voice tell someone to “hurry up.” Based on statements from witnesses and other evidence, officers placed the two suspects under arrest for attempted residential burglary and conspiracy. They were identified as Isiah Ransom Gunn, 25, of Los Angeles, and Mayra Chaidez, 34, of Santa Monica. Bail was set at $50,000 each.
Saturday, Nov. 24, at 5:25 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 1600 block of Santa Monica Boulevard — DK’s Donuts — on the report of a man urinating in front of the store. When officers arrived, they made contact with the person who called police. She said she was working inside the shop when she saw the man urinating. She recognized him from past thefts at the store. After relieving himself, the suspect walked into the donut shop and allegedly started pouring himself a cup of coffee. The employee said she tried to stop him, but he slapped her hand away and began yelling. He then finished pouring and left without paying, police said. He was located outside the store and placed under arrest for robbery. He was identified as Ronald Levine, 74, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
Friday, Nov. 23, 5:32 p.m.,
Officers were on patrol in the 2100 block of Lincoln Boulevard when they saw a man standing on the southwest corner of Lincoln and Grant Street. When the suspect saw the cops, he allegedly turned away from them and began walking away. Officers turned around and made contact with the man a short distance away. He told officers that he was trying to sell a necklace someone had given him for some quick money. Officers noticed he had a folding knife protruding from his pocket. When asked if he had other weapons, the man began to mumble and became very nervous. Officers detained him and searched him. They said they recovered a loaded .38 caliber handgun that was concealed in the suspect’s waistband, and a “hook” blade knife. The suspect was placed under arrest for carrying a concealed dagger and a loaded firearm in public. He was identified as Jason Williams, 31. His bail was set at $20,000.
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
