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.
Sunday, Jan. 12, at 10:12 p.m.,
Santa Monica Police officers approached a man who was allegedly acting erratically and smoking a cigarette at a bus stop at the corner of Olympic Drive and Avenida Mazatlan. It is illegal to smoke at a bus stop. Officers asked if the man had any weapons and he replied that he had a meth pipe on him. Officers searched the suspect and recovered not only a pipe, but .30 grams of meth stuffed inside it, ready to be smoked, police said. The suspect was arrested for possession of drugs and identified as Michael Francis Trefts, 57, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $10,000.
Saturday, Jan. 11, at 10:30 p.m.,
An officer saw someone acting suspicious in the 1800 block of the alley just east of Lincoln Boulevard. The officer said the man was seen slamming something on a trash can. At that same time the officer was notified that a burglary alarm went off next to where this suspect was. The officer stopped the man on suspicion of burglary and searched him. The officer said the suspect had a syringe and .23 grams of methamphetamine on him. No connection to the burglary alarm was found. But the man was arrested for possession of drugs. He was identified as John Christoph Footman, 44, of Los Angeles. No bail was set because the man was on parole.
Saturday, Jan. 11, at 9 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 1300 block of Wilshire Boulevard — Rite Aid — regarding a suspected shoplifter running from store security. While en route, officers spotted the suspect and detained him. They then spoke with store security who told the officers they saw the suspect take a package of razor blades and conceal one blade in his pocket. He then walked over to the electronics and took an MP3 player. He used the razor to open the MP3 player's packaging and take the device. When confronted by security he denied having the merchandise and walked out of the store. The suspect was positively identified and placed under arrest for theft. The MP3 player was recovered. The suspect was identified as Kevin William King, 36, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $20,000.
Friday, Jan. 10, at 10:30 p.m.,
Officers responded to the ice rink at Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue regarding a man causing a disturbance. When officers arrived they spoke with several witnesses who said that the man was underneath a table at the concession stand and would not come out. He told employees at the ice rink that he was scared and "off his meds." Officers determined that the man was exhibiting signs of being under the influence of a stimulant. When asked if he was on any drugs, the man allegedly said he was on meth. He was placed under arrest for being under the influence of drugs. The suspect was identified as Brian Adam Lassiter, 28, of Dana Point, Calif. His bail was set at $2,500.
Thursday, Jan. 9, at 3:40 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1900 block of Wilshire Boulevard — GAP — regarding a theft. When officers arrived they spoke with employees at the store who said two women walked into the place with large bags and worked together to conceal clothing in the bags. They then left without offering to pay for the clothes. Officers were able to immediately track down one of the women, who was walking south on Wilshire. She had in her possession several items of clothing from the store, police said. She was placed under arrest for burglary. She was identified as Joanne Stewart, 49, of Los Angeles. She also had an outstanding warrant. Her bail was set at $46,000.
Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 2 a.m.,
Officers were on patrol along the 1900 block of Santa Monica Boulevard looking for a person who was wanted for an undisclosed crime. They came across a man matching the description of that suspect. After questioning him, they determined he wasn't the right suspect, but he was on parole so they searched him. They said they found .06 grams of meth in a plastic bag. The suspect was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance. He was identified as David Nevelle Garling, 43, of Venice. No bail was set.
Sunday, Jan. 5, at 10:30 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 300 block of Colorado Avenue — Bloomingdale's — regarding a report of a shoplifter in custody. When officers arrived they were told by store security that the suspect was seen selecting several pieces of jewelry and then placed them in her pocket. She then selected a tote bag and took the tag off and carried it on her shoulder. She was then observed walking into a restroom and exited a few minutes later. Security checked the bathroom and found tags from the merchandise inside the trash. The suspect was then seen going into a food area of Bloomingdale's, where she took two tea bags and placed them inside the bag. She left without offering to pay for anything. Security detained her and found her to be in possession of 10 bracelets, three necklaces, two pairs of earrings, two scarves, a clutch, tote bag and the tea bags. The merchandise was valued at $1,328. The suspect was booked for grand theft. She was identified as Marina Stanislav Lee, 30, of Evanston, Ill. Her bail was set at $20,000.
editor@www.smdp.com
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
