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, Jan. 25, at 5:59 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the 2500 block of Kansas Avenue regarding an assault in progress. When officers arrived they made contact with a mother and her 20-year-old son who said they had been attacked by the mother’s boyfriend. The mother said she and her boyfriend were involved in an argument when the suspect physically attacked her and threatened to kill her. During the assault, the suspect choked the woman until she lost consciousness. The victim’s son came to her aid and the suspect then assaulted him, striking him several times about the head and the face. At one point, the suspect produced a large knife and threatened to kill the victims, police said. The victims managed to run out of the apartment and scream for help. Officers arrived on scene and surrounded the apartment where the suspect was believed to be hiding. The suspect was ordered out of the building and he complied. He was placed under arrest for attempted murder, making criminal threats, domestic violence, battery and possession of a deadly weapon. He was identified as Carl Lamont Gates, 49, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $1 million. The victims were transported to a local hospital with moderate to severe injuries, police said.
Saturday, Jan. 28, at 11:57 p.m.,
Officers received a report of an attempted robbery that occurred on the 1700 block of Appian Way. While en-route to the location, officers were advised that the suspects were running westbound on the beach, possibly chasing someone. When officers arrived, they located the suspects on the sand and a foot chase ensued along the waterline. Both suspects were taken into custody and a knife was recovered, police said. Officers made contact with the alleged victims who said they were walking on the 1700 block of Appian Way on their way to a friend’s house when they were confronted by the two suspects, who demanded money and a purse. As the alleged victims continued walking, the suspects said they had a gun. As the two approached their friend’s home, the suspects began throwing rocks at them before running away, police said. Both suspects were positively identified by the victims and were placed under arrest on several charges, including attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime and participating in a criminal street gang. One suspect was identified as Richardo Gonzalez Valdez, 18, of Los Angeles. The other was a 17-year-old Santa Monica resident, police said. Bail was set at $90,000 for Valdez, while the juvenile was later transported to juvenile hall.
Friday, Jan. 27, at 9:45 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1600 block of 11th Street — The Salvation Army sober living facility — regarding a report that someone had overdosed. When officers arrived, they spoke with the resident manager who said that two of the people living at the facility had just returned from an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. A short time later one of them was found to be unresponsive and paramedics were called. Members of the Santa Monica Fire Department arrived and took the victim to a local hospital after they allegedly overdosed on opiates. The second person who was with the victim was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance and placed under arrest. He was transported to the Santa Monica Jail were he was booked for being under the influence and a probation violation. He was identified as Jerod Daniel Evans, 27, of Arroyo Grande, Calif. His bail was set at $10,000.
Friday, Jan. 27, at 10:45 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1500 block of Ocean Avenue regarding a report of a carjacking. When officers arrived they made contact with the alleged victim who said she had just returned from seeing the Cirque du Soleil show ‘OVO’ and was retrieving her car from a valet on Ocean Avenue when the suspect pushed her out of the way, jumped in her car and drove off, dragging the woman several feet as she desperately held on to the driver’s side door. Officers searched the area for the vehicle, a 2008 Chevy Impala, but were unable to locate it. At approximately 11:20 p.m., the LAPD notified officers that they located the vehicle, which was being driven on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Los Angeles. A pursuit ensued and that LAPD was able to take the suspect into custody near the corner of La Cienega Boulevard and Hill Street. During the pursuit, the suspect allegedly struck a motorcyclist, causing injury. SMPD officers took the victim and witnesses to where the pursuit concluded and the suspect was positively identified. During a search, officers said they recovered methamphetamine. The suspect was eventually booked in Santa Monica for carjacking, possession of a controlled substance and a probation violation. He was identified as Wilfredo Villatoro, 29, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $100,000.
Thursday, Jan. 26, at 6:59 p.m.,
Officers responded to Santa Monica Place — Charlotte Russe — regarding a report of a suspected shoplifter in custody. When officers arrived they spoke with a manager at the store who told them that an employee had stolen several items of clothing and jewelry — around $1,300 to $1,500 worth — and was giving them to family members. The suspect allegedly admitted to the thefts and was placed under arrest for embezzlement and grand theft. She was identified as Natalie Delcarmen Molina, 20, of Los Angeles. Her bail was set at $20,000.
news@www.smdp.com
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
