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.
<!-- LPSH -->Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 11:35 a.m.,
Santa Monica vice officers contacted a woman offering sexual services in exchange for money. The woman advertised in a local newspaper, police said. An undercover officer arranged to meet the woman at a local hotel. The two were in a hotel room when the woman offered to perform sex acts in exchange for $200. Once money exchanged hands additional officers entered the room and placed the suspected prostitute under arrest for solicitation. The suspect was identified as Robin Carol Zurn, 35, of Santa Monica. Her bail was set at $2,000.
<!-- LPSH -->Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 4:11 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 1500 block of Georgina Avenue regarding a report of an auto burglary in progress. When officers arrived, they saw a man carrying a backpack whom they believed may have been involved in the burglary. Officers attempted to detain him but the suspect fled on foot, police said. Officers later caught the suspect in the 1400 block of San Vicente Boulevard. The suspect was in possession of items officers believed were stolen from the vehicle, which was parked on Georgina with its front door left ajar. Officers contacted the owner of the vehicle to verify that it was burglarized. The suspect was arrested and booked for auto burglary and resisting arrest. He was identified as Michael David Thompson, 18, from Venice. His bail was set at $50,000. Officers recovered a pair of women’s sunglasses, among other items.
<!-- LPSH -->Wednesday, Jan. 21, 3:30 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 300 block of Wilshire Boulevard — Dr. Dayyani Eye Care — regarding a report of a theft. When officers arrived, they made contact with the store manager who said they had footage of a man taking a pair of Gucci sunglasses valued at $300. The manager said the man had come into the store several times over the last couple of weeks to look at expensive sunglasses. A community service officer with the Third Street Promenade detail watched video of the suspect and recognized him from an arrest several days ago. Officers located the suspect in the 1400 block of Second Street and he was booked for burglary and violation of parole. He was identified as Jarris Jay Castañeda, 29, from Los Angeles. No bail was set.
<!-- LPSH -->Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 12:50 a.m.,
Officers responded to a report of a strong arm robbery that occurred in the 1500 block of the beach. When officers arrived, they made contact with the alleged victims who said they were sitting on the sand when one of their purses was stolen by a group of guys. A fight ensued and the suspects fled. The victims followed closely behind until police arrived. Officers placed the suspects under arrest for robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime. Their bail was set at $50,000. The suspects were identified as Johnny Alcala, 19, of Colton; Joseph John Madrid, 18, from San Bernardino; Steven Martinez, 20, La Puente; and Richard Paul Pineda, 27, of San Bernardino. Pineda was also booked for violation of parole. No bail was set.
Thursday, Jan. 22, at 4:37 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 800 block of Wilshire Boulevard — IndyMac Federal Bank — regarding a report of a suspect trying to cash a bogus check. When officers arrived, they made contact with a cashier who said the suspect handed her a cashier’s check for $3,800. The bank teller believed the check was fraudulent and notified police. Officers arrived a short time later and detained the suspect. Officers located the man’s vehicle in the bank parking lot and found another check believed to be fraudulent. The suspect was arrested and booked for burglary. He was identified as Doron Shemesh, 30, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $20,000.
<!-- LPSH -->Thursday, Jan. 22, at 1:26 a.m.,
Officers on patrol at the corner of Second and Marine streets observed a car speeding down the street playing loud music. Officers conducted a traffic stop and spoke to the driver, who appeared impaired, police said. While speaking to her, officers noticed the passenger trying to hide something under the floorboard. Officers conducted a field sobriety test and the driver was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving under the influence. Officers identified the passenger and discovered he had an outstanding warrant. Officers placed him under arrest and searched the vehicle. They found crack cocaine and a glass pipe commonly used to smoke crack. The passenger was booked for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The driver was booked for driving under the influence of alcohol and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. She was identified as Vanessa Lopes, 27, from Reseda. She was cited out and released. The passenger was identified as Jacquies Quan Manson, 37, a transient. No bail was set.
<!-- LPSH -->Friday, Jan. 23, at 11:56 p.m.,
Officers in the 100 block of Santa Monica Boulevard observed a suspect illegally riding a bike along the Third Street Promenade. Officers detained the suspect and discovered he was a parolee at large. Officers searched the suspect and found him to be in possession of marijuana. The suspect was identified as Donald Jake Sellers, 34, a transient. No bail was set.
Editor in Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports. news@www.smdp.com
