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, May 14, at 8:40 a.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the 1300 block of Wilshire Boulevard — Rite Aid — regarding a report of an armed robbery that just occurred. While en route, officers spotted a woman matching the suspect’s description and detained her without incident. Officers spoke with store security who identified the woman, saying she went into Rite Aid and concealed merchandise in bags she brought with her. She allegedly left without paying for the items. Security stopped her and recovered the stolen merchandise. That’s when the suspect suddenly stated, “I have a gun. If you don’t back up, I’ll kill you.” Police said she then grabbed the stolen property and took off on foot. No gun was ever found. The suspect was booked for robbery. She was identified as Jinah Seo, 47, a transient. Her bail was set at $76,000.
Sunday, May 15, at 9:45 p.m.,
Officers conducted a traffic stop on the 800 block of Pico Boulevard. Officers pulled the driver over for expired registration. During their conversation with the driver, officers determined he was driving on a suspended license as well. While searching the car before having it towed to the impound lot, officers said they found a bag in the passenger seat that contained several prescription opiates. The driver was unable to prove that the prescriptions were his and he was arrested. The suspect was booked for possession of a controlled substance and for driving on a suspended license. He was identified as Michael Scott Endes, 33, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $10,000.
Sunday, May 15, at 12:20 a.m.,
Officers were on routine patrol on the 1700 block of Berkeley Street when they saw a man looking into parked cars. Believing he was going to break into a car, officers tried to make contact with him. When officers approached, the suspect allegedly began walking away in an attempt to avoid them. As officers got closer, the suspect was seen dropping a black sunglass holder. Officers picked it up, looked inside and found a baggy containing meth. The suspect was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance. He was identified as Paul Henley, 40. His bail was set at $10,000.
Friday, May 13, at 9:32 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 1900 block of Wilshire Boulevard regarding a fight in progress. When officers arrived, they learned that the suspect entered the Staples located on the 1600 block of Wilshire and proceeded to get into an argument with employees regarding having to pay a service fee for her computer. During the argument, the woman allegedly struck a store computer, causing it to fall on the ground and break. The suspect then left the store. An employee followed and was allegedly spit on twice by the disgruntled customer, who continued to yell obscenities at employees. Officers placed the suspect under arrest and she was booked for battery and vandalism. She was later cited and released. She was identified as Lisa Michelle Goodwin, 42, of Los Angeles.
Friday, May 13, at 9:16 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2100 block of Oak Street regarding a report of a prowler. When they arrived, officers made contact with the victim who said that she had just finished taking a nap and was about to leave her home to take her dog for a walk when she noticed a man standing in front of her bedroom window removing the screen. When the suspect saw her, he ran off and she called police. Officers at the scene noticed a suspicious vehicle leaving the area and conducted a traffic stop. The victim positively identified the driver as the alleged prowler and he was placed under arrest and booked for burglary. He was identified as Salvador Mayorga Orozco, 46, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $50,000.
Thursday, May 12, at 2:30 p.m.,
Officers responded to the Apple Store on the Third Street Promenade regarding a shoplifter in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said the suspect tried to buy two iPads using stolen checks and a fraudulent driver’s license. When the checks were rejected, the suspect tried to run but was detained by security, police said. Officers took the suspect into custody and he was booked for forgery, possession of a forged driver’s license and fraud. He was identified as Albert Lee, 25, of Torrance. His bail was set at $30,000.
Tuesday, May 10, at 1:52 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1300 block of Second Street regarding a suspect causing a disturbance inside a business — Step Up on Second. When officers arrived, they spoke with an employee who said a customer pushed a computer and monitor on the floor, damaging the equipment. The suspect then left. He was detained by officers shortly after and booked for vandalism. He was identified as Robert George Wells, 58, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $5,000.
Monday, May 9, at 8:54 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2100 block of La Mesa Drive regarding a suspicious person looking into vehicles as he walked down the street. When officers arrived, they saw the suspect and made contact. During their conversation, the suspect told officers that he was on probation for burglary. Officers searched the suspect and found a window punch used to break into cars, police said. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Santa Monica Jail where, during the booking search, police allegedly found counterfeit $100 bills. The suspect was booked for possession of burglary tools and fake currency, as well as a probation violation. He was identified as Michael Alexander Haynes, 27, of Westwood. His bail was set at $20,000.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
