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, Jan. 16, at 3:29 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the 2600 block of Lincoln Boulevard — Albertsons — regarding a theft suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they were advised by store security that the suspect entered the store and went to the liquor aisle. The suspect removed two bottles of alcohol, valued at $45.99 each, and placed them in his jacket. Security confronted the suspect about the alcohol. The suspect allegedly removed the two bottles from his jacket and returned them to the store. The suspect then attempted to leave. Security detained him until police arrived. The suspect was placed under arrest for burglary. He told officers that he stole the liquor so he could sell them and get money to buy food for his family, police said. The suspect was identified as Bahram Bakhtegan, 45, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $20,000.
Monday, Jan. 11, at 8:31 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 300 block of Colorado Avenue regarding an assault that just occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with the alleged victim who said he was walking east on Colorado Avenue in front of Sears when he passed by a man and said hello. For some unknown reason, the man started to strike the victim in the face and body. The victim defended himself by blocking the strikes. The suspect eventually became tired or bored and stopped hitting the man, police said. The victim then walked away and called police. Officers stopped the suspect a short distance away and placed him under arrest for assault, battery and obstruction of justice. He was identified as Anthony Pearson, 34, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 12:55 a.m.,
Officers were patrolling the area of 1900 Stewart Street when they observed a man they knew was on probation. Officers said they man was hanging out with a known gang member. When officers attempted to make contact with the men for violating terms of their probation, the two allegedly ran. Officers were able to detain one of the suspects, who was arrested for obstruction of justice and a probation violation. He was identified as Kenneth Jones, 19, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $10,000.
Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 1:44 a.m.,
Officers responded to the area of Lincoln and Santa Monica boulevards regarding a witness that observed a possible drunk driver. When officers arrived, they made contact with the witness who said the driver of the vehicle was currently asleep behind the wheel, the car idling in the drive-through of Jack-in-the-Box. As officers approached the vehicle, the driver allegedly put the vehicle in drive and tried to flee. Officers were able to stop the car and made contact with the driver, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Officers placed the driver under arrest for DUI. She was identified as Michelle Cazares, 27, of Los Angeles. Her bail was set at $5,285.
Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 2:30 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1100 block of Lincoln Boulevard — American Motel — regarding a suspect yelling and banging on the motel room doors. When officers arrived, they observed the suspect inside of his motel room yelling and cursing. When officers contacted the suspect, he stepped outside. Officers felt he was intoxicated and unable to care for himself. Officers placed him under arrest for public intoxication. During a booking search, officers allegedly found cocaine in the suspect’s possession. The suspect was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and a probation violation. He was identified as Michael Suir. His bail was set at $10,000. No other information on the suspect was provided by police.
Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 11:30 p.m.,
Officers at the Public Safety Facility in the Civic Center made contact with a woman who said she was the victim of domestic violence. The woman told officers that she was dating a man who was the father of her child. Recently, the man and the victim broke up, with the man moving out of the home. The man recently moved back into the house. A fight broke out between the two and the man allegedly slapped the victim. She left the home and went to the police station. Officers went to the residence and placed the suspect under arrest for domestic violence. The suspect was identified as Edward Bronstein, 28, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $20,000.
Thursday, Jan. 14, at 5:40 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 900 block of Wilshire Boulevard regarding a disturbance. When officers arrived, they were flagged down by a witness who directed them to a male and female who were arguing. Officers learned that the female had befriended the male earlier in the evening. The man allegedly tried to get the woman to lay down with him on some cardboard and have sex. The man allegedly attempted to kiss the woman and put his hands down her pants. She was able to flag down a person walking by and get the suspect to stop. Officers detained the suspect and placed him under arrest for attempted rape by force or fear, assault to commit rape and a violation of parole. He was identified as Walter Songen, 43, a transient. He was not eligible for bail.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
