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.
Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 5:30 p.m.,
The Santa Monica Police Department’s Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 1800 block of 16th Street. While no narcotics were recovered inside the residence, a small amount of marijuana was found to the rear of the residence where the suspect had been standing, police said. The suspect was arrested and transported to the Santa Monica Jail. After arriving at the jail the suspect admitted that he had narcotics hidden between his buttocks. Officers recovered 30 grams of cocaine wrapped in clear plastic and two small bindles containing 1.43 grams of cocaine that was secreted between the suspect’s buttocks. Additionally, $1,308 was recovered from the suspect’s pockets and wallet. The suspect was booked for drug possession with intent to distribute. He was identified as Steven Matthew Tillman, 23, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $30,000.
Friday, Nov. 12, at 9:50 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 1100 block of Olympic Boulevard (Video Audio Center) in regards to an assault with a deadly weapon that just occurred. Upon further investigation, officers learned that the victim and suspect were both employees of the location. The two began arguing when the victim accused the suspect of intentionally putting his butt in his face. As the victim was bent over attempting to read the serial number from a television, the suspect allegedly kicked him twice in the face. The victim lost consciousness and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect left the location and was stopped by officers in the area of Lincoln and Pico boulevards. After being positively identified by witnesses he was taken into custody and transported to the Santa Monica Police Department where he was booked for assault with a deadly weapon. The suspect was identified as Luis Alberto Cervantes, 30, of Bell, Calif. His bail was set at $30,000.
Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 5 p.m.,
Members of the SMPD’s Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 12000 block of Short Avenue in the city of Los Angeles. As a result of the search warrant, 15.18 grams of methamphetamine, electronic scales and plastic baggies were recovered from the residence. Also, .85 grams of methamphetamine and cash were recovered from the suspect’s person at the time of his arrest, police said. The suspect was identified as Noel Jaime, 38, of Los Angeles. He was booked for possession with intent to sell. His bail was set at $30,000.
Thursday, Nov. 11, at 2:40 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1300 block of Wilshire Boulevard (Rite Aid) regarding a strong arm robbery. When officers arrived, they spoke to the witness who was working in the area of the pharmacy when he heard the alarm sound from an unlocked case that contained men’s electric razors. When the witness looked to see who was standing near the case he didn’t see anyone. A short time later, the suspect walked toward him and the witness could see a men’s Norelco razor still in its box at the bottom of a bag he was carrying. The witness asked the suspect if he was going to give the razor back, at which time the suspect struck him with a closed fist. The suspect ran from the store with the witness in pursuit. The witness watched as the suspect got into a Lexus SUV being driven by another person, which drove away from the location. A short time later an unnamed person gave the witness a cell phone battery and cover he saw the suspect drop as he got into the vehicle. Officers who monitored the suspect and vehicle description on the police radio saw a vehicle matching the description and stopped it in the 1300 block of Lincoln Boulevard. After witnesses positively identified the suspect he was arrested and booked for robbery. Officers recovered a Norelco shaver and a broken cellular telephone that was missing its battery and cover from the vehicle. The suspect was identified as Christopher Allen Cooper, 28, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $50,000.
Thursday, Nov. 11, at 11:40 a.m.,
Officers responded to a couple who was having some sort of dispute in the area of Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard. The first officer on scene made contact with the victim who said the suspect had forcibly taken a necklace from her pocket because he believed she had his radio. When the officer asked the suspect to return the necklace, the suspect asked what would happen if he didn’t. The officer told him that he would be arrested for robbery. The suspect removed the necklace from his back pocket and started speaking loudly while advancing toward the victim. Fearing the suspect was going to assault the victim the officer grabbed the suspect in an attempt to stop him. The suspect allegedly turned on the officer and took a fighting stance. The suspect was eventually taken to the ground where he continued to struggle until assisting officers arrived. The suspect was arrested and booked for robbery, resisting arrest and for being drunk in public. The suspect was identified as Steve Ray Ward, 46, a transient. His bail was set at $50,250.
Friday, Nov. 12, at 11:50 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 500 block of Wilshire Boulevard (Whole Foods) regarding a report of shoplifting. When officers arrived, they made contact with store employees who said the suspect tried to steal a bottle of wine. A security guard and store manager chased the suspect. The guard was able to stop the suspect by grabbing the hood of his sweater. As the suspect struggled to escape, the manager was able to remove the bottle of wine from the suspect’s possession. As the security guard and suspect struggled, the suspect allegedly attempted to strike the security guard in the face with a skateboard. The security guard was able to block the blow, at which time the suspect escaped his grasp and ran toward the alley. The security guard did not continue to chase the suspect, but watched as the suspect allegedly removed a city-owned pole and sign from its foundation and attempted to break the window of a delivery van parked in the parking lot. The suspect ran out of view but was stopped by responding officers in the 1300 block of Alley Four. The suspect was positively identified by witnesses and booked for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism. He was identified as Jonathan Valencia, 22, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
