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, Jan. 12, at 12:20 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers were on routine patrol in the area of Fourth Street and Pico Boulevard when they noticed a man they knew was on probation loitering in a gas station parking lot. When officers attempted to contact the man, he hopped on his bicycle and rode away. Officers followed the man and ordered him to stop. He allegedly threw his bike down in the middle of the street, blocking the officers in their patrol vehicle, and removed a clear plastic baggy from his pocket and started pouring out a white crystal-like substance into the gutter. Police said the suspect then placed the empty baggy in his mouth and tried to swallow it as officers grabbed him. The suspect struggled and finally spit out the baggy. The suspect was placed under arrest for destruction of evidence, resisting and a probation violation. He was identified as John Andrew Cox, 37, a transient. His bail was set at $10,000.
Thursday, Jan. 12, at 8:32 p.m.,
Officers responded to a radio call of a vehicle burglary that took place in the parking lot of the Le Merigot hotel, located on the 1700 block of Ocean Avenue. When officers arrived, they made contact with the alleged victims who said they were staying at the hotel while on vacation. The night before, they said they gave their car to a valet to park before heading to their room. When they retrieved their car the next day they noticed that $4,700 in cash was missing from the center console. They called police and asked the valet who took their car the night before to stay with them until police arrived. Officers obtained consent from the valet to search his car to make sure he did not take the money. Officers said during the search of his vehicle they found the victims’ money. The valet allegedly admitted to the theft. He told police he was in financial trouble and needed the money. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for grand theft. He was identified as Jose Angel Roman-Garcia, 24, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $20,000.
Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 7:52 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard — One Stop Shop — regarding a report of a theft that just occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with the manager of the convenience store who said that the suspect entered the store and asked for a pack of cigarettes. When he was informed of the price, the suspect allegedly demanded that the store manager give him the cigarettes free of charge. The manager put the pack back on the shelf behind her, at which time the suspect walked around the counter and took them, police said. The manager told officers that she was afraid the suspect would assault her so she let him take the smokes and walk out of the store. As he left, he allegedly took a lighter as well. Officers located the suspect a short distance away and attempted to detain him for questioning. The suspect allegedly resisted and was taken to the ground. While on the ground, the suspect continued to resist and would not allow officers to handcuff him. He tried to fight them off, forcing officers to use a Taser gun and ankle restraints to take him into custody, according to a police report. During the altercation, police said the cigarettes and lighter fell out of the suspect’s sweatshirt pocket. The suspect was identified by the store manager and after receiving medical clearance from a local hospital he was booked at the Santa Monica Jail for robbery and resisting arrest. He was identified as Travis Marlin Greenburg, 22, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
Monday, Jan. 9, at 2:27 a.m.,
Officers responded to the lower level of Parking Structure 6, located on the 1400 block of Second Street on the report of a subject hitting a motorcycle and various vehicles inside the structure. When officers arrived, they made contact with the reporting party who stated that he saw the suspect punching a gold Mercedes E300 and broke the passenger-side mirror. The witness said the suspect also punched a motorcycle parked nearby, causing it to fall over. Police said there was no noticeable damage to the motorcycle. Officers located the suspect inside the parking structure. Police said he was heavily intoxicated and admitted to punching the vehicle and knocking over the motorcycle when he tried to sit on it. He was placed under arrest for felony vandalism and being drunk in public. He was identified as Alexis Gonzalez, 22, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $20,000.
Monday, Jan. 9, at 7:40 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 2600 block of Lincoln Boulevard — Albertsons — regarding a suspected shoplifter in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with the store manager who told them that a chronic thief was spotted inside the store in the liquor aisle. As the manager walked by the suspect, he could see him concealing a large bottle of vodka inside his jacket. The suspect was approached and he returned the bottle to the shelf. The suspect was detained by security until officers arrived. Based on the suspect’s actions and that he had no money to pay for the alcohol, he was placed under arrest for burglary, a probation violation and a warrant. He was identified as Thomas Gustavo Padilla, 45, of Santa Monica. No bail was set.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
