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.
Sunday, July 12, at 11:35 a.m.,
Santa Monica police officers on routine patrol in the area of Fourth Street and Olympic Boulevard spotted a driver who allegedly failed to stop for a red light. Officers conducted a traffic stop to issue a citation when they discovered that the driver did not have any identification with him. Officers asked if they could search the driver’s vehicle and asked if there was anything illegal inside. The driver allegedly reached into the center console and removed a white powdery substance that officers believed to be cocaine or methamphetamine. The driver told officers the substance belonged to a friend, police said. The driver was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance and for failing to stop for a red light. He was identified as Mark Ariel, 19, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $10,000.
Saturday, July 11, at 6:25 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade — Sephora — regarding a report of shoplifting suspects in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said two women came into the store, one with a Sephora shopping bag while the other had a basket. The suspects allegedly put items into the basket and bag and then went to the register to return items they said they had already purchased. Upon receiving gift cards, the suspects went back and continued shopping, placing more items into the Sephora bag. The suspects then allegedly purchased items with the gift cards and left the store. All total, the items were valued at $643.50. Once outside the store, security detained the women until police arrived. They were placed under arrest for burglary. They were identified as Ariel Stutman, 19, and Tatjana Rottman, 19; both from Los Angeles. Bail was set at $20,000.
On Friday, July 10, at 3:03 a.m.,
Officers on routine patrol in the area of Ocean and Colorado avenues observed a 1997 Toyota Carolla that had a broken brake light and was missing a rear side window. Officers were advised by dispatch that the vehicle was reported stolen from Los Angeles. Officers stopped the vehicle in the area of Fifth Street and Idaho. During the investigation, officers found solar lawn lights in the vehicle that were still illuminated. Officers also found other items that they believed did not belong to any of the occupants. The occupants were arrested for grand theft auto and probable cause burglary. They were identified as Gloria Ruano, 24; Melissa Martinez, 22; Juan Gutierrez, 18; and Christopher Lopes, 18; all of Los Angeles. Bail was set at $50,000.
Friday, July 10, at 3:55 p.m.,
Officers responded to the area of Fifth Street and Colorado Boulevard regarding three individuals fighting. When officers arrived, they made contact with two people who said as they were walking eastbound, the suspect was walking westbound, mumbling to himself as he was approaching the two who called police. The two people attempted to step out of the suspects way, and that’s when the suspect allegedly struck one of the victims and grabbed his baseball hat. As the suspect was walking away with the hat, one of the two people pushed the suspect to the ground. The suspect dropped the hat and tried to strike the two. They picked up the hat and ran to call police. Officers located the suspect a short distance away. He was arrested for robbery and a probation violation. He was identified as Steve Johnson, 20, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
Tuesday, July 7, at 4:28 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 800 block of Michigan Avenue regarding a traffic collision involving an intoxicated driver. When officers arrived, they were able to determine that the driver of one of the vehicles had “rear-ended” another vehicle. Officers contacted one of the drivers and started an investigation for driving under the influence. Due to statements, balance and coordination and the collision, officers believed the driver had been drinking. The suspect, MIchael Izzarelli, 62, of Santa Monica, was booked for DUI. The suspect was cited out of the jail.
Monday, July 6, at 2:54 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1200 block of the promenade — Sephora again — regarding a theft suspect in custody. When officers arrived, store security told them the suspect grabbed an item from a shelf and took it to the cashier. The suspect produced a receipt from another Sephora store for the item. The suspect asked for a refund. The cashier gave the suspect a gift card for the return. The suspect went and purchased another item. The suspect then started to leave the store. Security stopped the suspect, who dropped the bag with items from the store that had not been purchased, police said. The suspect, Kimmi Sugita, 42, of Irvine, was transported to the jail and booked for burglary. Her bail was set at $20,000.
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
