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.
Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 1:25 a.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the corner of Neilson Way and Pier Avenue regarding a strong-arm robbery suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they spoke with the alleged victim who said she had her purse on a bench with some other purses at Rick’s Tavern. As she was standing there, a friend asked the group if a purse being carried out by the suspect belonged to any of them. The victim said it was her purse. She yelled at the suspect and he fled. A witness chased after the suspect and held him until police arrived. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for robbery and possession of a controlled substance (officers said they found Xanax on him). The suspect was identified as Matthew Naylor, 36, of Valley Village. His bail was set at $50,000.
Monday, Sept. 20, at 5:45 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1700 block of Cloverfield Boulevard (OPCC) regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. When officers arrived, they made contact with the alleged victim who said the suspect confronted him in a courtyard. The suspect allegedly cursed out the victim, who tried to walk away but was followed, the suspect pushing him several times. The victim said he didn’t want to fight. As he was looking out a window, he said he saw a reflection of the suspect standing behind him with a knife, pointing it in a threatening manner. The victim ran and notified staff who called police. Officers located the suspect a short distance away and placed him under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon. He was identified as Anastacio Pena, 42, a transient. His bail was set at $30,000.
Tuesday, Sept. 21, at 1:55 p.m.,
Officers responded to McDonald’s located at the corner of Second Street and Colorado Avenue regarding a person possibly under the influence of narcotics. When officers arrived, they observed the suspect. Officers made contact and during an interview they determined she was under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant. Officers determined the drug was meth. They arrested and booked Klara LaFever, 29, a transient, for being under the influence and a probation violation. Her bail was set at $10,000.
Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 2200 block of Montana Avenue regarding three suspects trying to steal a bicycle. When officers arrived, they detained the suspects near 21st Street and Georgina Avenue. As additional officers arrived, one of the suspects allegedly jumped up and ran away. Officers located the suspect a short distance away after he discarded a sweatshirt. Further investigation revealed that the suspects had given false names to the officers. They were also in possession of gloves and knitted hats. The suspects were all supposed to be in school. The suspects were arrested for the following: A 14-year-old and a 17-year-old, both from Los Angeles, were released to their parents. Warren Pegram, 18, of Los Angeles, was arrested for burglary. His bail was set at $50,000.
Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 12:20 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 200 block of Broadway regarding vandalism. When officers arrived, they were advised by city employees that the suspect was sitting on a bus bench and etched something into it. Further investigation revealed that the suspect used the bench to etch in a moniker. The suspect, Roberto Diaz, Jr., 25, a transient, was arrested for vandalism. His bail was set at $500.
Thursday, Sept. 23, at 7:27 p.m.,
Officers responded to the corner of Fifth Street and Wilshire Boulevard (Whole Foods) regarding a robbery suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they were advised by store security that the suspect entered the store and was shopping when a security guard saw him quickly leave the store with something hidden under his arm. The security guard confronted the suspect outside and saw a few items that belonged to the store. The suspect allegedly pushed the guard and ran. Another guard chased him and detained the suspect after he fell down in front of a post office. The suspect was arrested for robbery. He was identified as Slavko Lepojevic, 55, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $50,000.
Saturday, Sept. 25, at 12:35 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 1600 block of Fifth Street regarding a possible vehicle burglary in progress. When officers arrived, they were advised by the reporting party that the suspect was damaging numerous vehicles. Officers located the suspect a short distance away. Officers examined eight cars that were damaged and noticed that each had similar damage — broken side mirrors and windshield wipers and license plates removed. Damaged was estimated between $2,000 and $3,000. The suspect refused to state where he lived. He was arrested and booked for felony vandalism. The suspect was identified as Sergio Gutierrez, 44. His bail was set at $20,000.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
