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.
Thursday, Aug. 13, at 5:02 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the 2800 block of Ocean Front Walk regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. When officers arrived, they made contact with the victim who said he was walking with some friends when he jumped over a concrete barrier that separates the sand and pedestrian pathway. As he landed, a man who was approximately 10 feet away allegedly yelled at the victim to not jump over him. The victim replied, “I am not close to you, old man.” The suspect then walked over to the victim and struck him with his cane, police said. The victim followed the suspect to his vehicle to get the license plate number, at which time the suspect allegedly pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the victim, who ran, fearing for his life. Police were called and officers arrested the suspect on the beach a short distance away. The gun was located inside of a trailer. The suspect, Shane Mahoney, 56, a transient, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. His bail was set at $30,000.
Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 3:44 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 500 block of Olympic Boulevard — Samoshel — regarding a fight that just occurred. When officers arrived, they learned that the victim cut in the food line to get seconds. The suspect accused the victim of cutting and confronted him. As the suspect was yelling at the victim, spit was emitting from his mouth, police said. The victim tried to block his face and accidentally touched the suspect’s beard, causing the suspect to forcefully stick his thumb in the victim’s eye and then choke him, police said. Witnesses told the men to take the fight outside. The suspect then left in an unknown direction. The suspect, identified as John Randall, 39, a transient, was located a short distance away. The suspect was booked for assault with great bodily injury. He was not eligible for bail.
Thursday, Aug. 13, at 6:18 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade — Sephora — regarding a theft suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they spoke with store security who said that the suspect was seen twice before stealing cologne from the store. The thefts were allegedly captured on surveillance video. Store employees saw the suspect on the promenade later that day and detained him. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for probable cause burglary after watching the video. Officers believe the suspect stole 19 items valued at $1,117. The suspect was identified as Robert Dedmon, 61, of Carson. He was not eligible for bail.
Friday, Aug. 14, at 12:25 p.m.,
Officers were patrolling the 1500 block of the beach when they saw three people selling fruit, body boards and umbrellas without a business permit. Officers placed the suspects under arrest for vending without a permit and conspiracy. The suspects were identified as Yolanda Morales, 26; Esmeralda Martinez, 23; and Tomas Cruz, 33, of Los Angeles. Their bail was set at $500.
Saturday, Aug. 15, at 9:54 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2000 block of Ocean Avenue regarding a suspicious person who flagged down a park ranger. When officers arrived, they made contact with a man who said he recently woke up from a nap and his friends were missing. As officers talked with him, they discovered he was on probation. Officers noticed that the man appeared to be nervous. During a search, the officers said they found a white powder in the man’s possession that later was found to be methamphetamine. The suspect was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance and a probation violation. He was identified as Justin Burbank, 18, a transient. No bail was set.
Saturday, Aug. 15, at 6:48 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1900 block of Lincoln Boulevard — Santa Monica Outlet — regarding a theft suspect in custody. Upon arrival, an officer talked to store employees who said a woman walked to the back of the store and was out of view for a few seconds and then walked to the front of the store, leaving without purchasing any items. Employees followed the woman down the street and saw her pull out a brown bag that allegedly contained items from the store. The items still had their price tags, police said. The items — clothing — were valued at $23.42. They were recovered. The suspect, identified as Felicia Prather, 42, of Venice, was escorted back to the store where she was arrested for petty theft with a prior. Her bail was set at $20,000.
Sunday, Aug. 16, at 2:20 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2600 block of Lincoln Boulevard — Albertsons — regarding a theft suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said the suspect entered the store and went directly to the meat isle. The suspect then allegedly placed several items of meat and wine in his backpack and then tried to leave the store. When confronted, he dropped the backpack and said he did not have any items in it. Security searched the bag and found several food items totaling $143.46. A security camera also captured the suspect placing items in the backpack, police said. The suspect was placed under arrest for burglary and a parole hold. The suspect was identified as Rigoberto Avila, 55, a transient. He was not eligible for bail.
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
