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, Sept. 25, at 9:50 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers were on patrol along Bay Street when they said they smelled the strong odor of smoked marijuana coming from a car that was parked along the curb. Officers drove toward the car, at which time three people quickly got out and tried to walk away. Officers detained them and looked inside the car where they could see several containers with marijuana inside, police said. Officers searched the vehicle and allegedly recovered some hashish and Hydrocodone from inside the glove box. The owner of the car also admitted to having a shotgun in the trunk. He was placed under arrest for illegal possession of prescription drugs and concentrated cannabis. The shotgun was legal, but booked for safekeeping. The suspect was identified as Phillip Leroy Thompson, 23, of Atlanta. No bail information was provided by police.
Wednesday, Sept. 26, at 2:21 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1300 block of Fourth Street — Wells Fargo — regarding two people who were allegedly trying to open a bank account using a phony check. Before officers could arrive, the suspects grew nervous and left the bank, police said. Officers spoke with bank employees, who said the suspects came into the bank and said the wanted to open a checking account with one of the suspects' first paycheck. The check was in the amount of $975. The bank employees said they immediately noticed that there were no bank markings on the check and tried to confirm its legitimacy. The suspects asked for one of their IDs back and then left. A few hours later, officers located a female suspect walking in the 1600 block of Seventh Street and detained her. She was later identified by bank employees and placed under arrest. Officers searched her purse and said they found further evidence of a crime. Officers also learned that she had previously cashed a check in a similar amount using someone else's identity. She was booked for obtaining credit in another's name, burglary and forgery. She was identified as Maureen Ruben Lugo, 37, of Santa Monica. Her bail was set at $50,000.
Thursday, Sept. 27, at 5:29 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 1800 block of Ocean Park Boulevard regarding a report of two women fighting in the street. When officers arrived, they found two women in an alley off Ocean Park Boulevard. One was unconscious. The other was rubbing her eyes and told officers that the other woman used pepper spray on her. Paramedics arrived and treated the woman who was unconscious and transported her to a local hospital for a head injury. Police said the woman who was pepper sprayed was allowed to stay in the other woman's home for a few days. When she brought a strange man into the home, the victim kicked her out. While leaving, the victim noticed that the suspect had some of her clothes and a fight ensued. The victim used pepper spray to defend herself, police said. The suspect allegedly took the victim to the ground and slammed her head into the asphalt several times until she lost consciousness. The suspect was booked for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and a probation violation. She was identified as Travette Hill, 23, a transient. No bail was set.
Saturday, Sept. 29, at 4:25 p.m.,
Police were on patrol near the corner of Third Street and Santa Monica Boulevard when they saw a man cross the street against a red light. Officers called out to the man, but he ignored them and continued to walk away. Officers caught up with him and one of them grabbed his arm. The suspect allegedly pulled his arm away. Officers put him in a control hold and handcuffed him as the suspect yelled profanities and questioned the officers' authority, police said. The suspect was eventually booked for failing to stop for a red light and resisting arrest. He was identified as Elijah Thomas, 21, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $10,000.
Sunday, Sept. 30, at 5:08 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1600 block of 16th Street as part of a robbery investigation. There they located a motorhome that had been used in the crime. Police made contact with a man who was living inside the motorhome and determined he was the suspect they were after. He was placed under arrest for robbery. He was identified as Joseph Campbell, 55, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $50,000. Police said Campbell went into the Rite-Aid located on the 1800 block of Wilshire Boulevard on Sept. 15 and placed several rent receipt books down his pants. He then went to the counter and paid for a bottle of water. Security confronted the man outside the store about the books. Campbell allegedly pushed the employee down and ran to the motorhome, which was being driven by an unidentified female. The guard got the license plate number, which led police to the motorhome.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
