PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY — A Los Angeles man was arrested last week for allegedly slicing another man’s ear off after the two argued over an unpaid debt, police said.
Jerry Lee Reis, 42, was arrested April 13 for mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a controlled substance. His bail was set at $100,000, said SMPD Sgt. Richard Lewis.
Police arrested Reis at an apartment building in the 1500 block of 15th Street. There they said he was in possession of two baggies filled with methamphetamine, some drug paraphernalia and two pill bottles containing hydrocodone and Alprazolam, a drug used to treat anxiety.
Investigators went to that apartment complex after collecting physical evidence from the scene of the alleged attack.
Police said the victim and the suspect were arguing near Parking Structure 10 on the night of April 11. The victim told officers that he paid part of the debt he owed to the suspect, but could not come up with the rest of the money.
That’s when Reis allegedly pulled out a knife and cut off the man’s left ear. The two fled in different directions following the attack. The victim initially did not want to contact the police, Lewis said, but eventually cooperated with officers.
A second suspect was arrested along with Reis. He was identified as Garrick Lee Brandt, 52, of Santa Monica. He was booked for possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia and stolen property. His bail was set at $20,000 when he was booked at the Santa Monica Jail.
For more information on this and other arrests, check out Crime Watch, the Daily Press’ arrest log, at www.smdp.com or Friday’s print edition.
kevinh@www.smdp.com