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, Feb. 4, at 5 p.m.,
Santa Monica Police officers saw a car traveling north on Fifth Street near Santa Monica Boulevard that had a fairly large item hanging from its rear-view mirror, a violation of the California Vehicle Code. Officers stopped the driver and found out that he had outstanding warrants and was driving on a suspended license. They arrested the driver and then searched the car. Officers said they found in a grocery bag some cocaine. The driver was busted for the warrants and drug possession. He was identified as James Daniel Lavorgna, 46, of Marina del Rey. His bail was set at $45,500.
Friday, Feb. 7, at 10:30 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2900 block of Main Street — Rick's Tavern — regarding a report of a man who was disturbing the peace. When officers arrived they talked with an employee at the bar who said a man tried to get in, but he was refused entry because he was clearly drunk. The man became upset and allegedly threatened to "shoot the place up" before reaching into his pocket. Fearing he had a weapon, the employee of the bar used pepper spray to hold him back. That incapacitated the man until police arrived. Officers took him into custody for being drunk in public. He was identified as Robert Bruce Gillam, 49, of Venice. His bail was set at $250.
Saturday, Feb. 8, at 3 a.m.,
Officers responded to a report of a fight that just took place on the Santa Monica Pier. When officers arrived they spoke with the alleged victim who said he was walking on the pier with his aunt when he was approached by a man who made some kind of gang-related statement to him and then punched him in the face. Officers responded so quickly that they were able to detain the suspect as he was walking away from the scene. A positive identification was made and the suspect was placed under arrest for assault and battery. He was identified as Gonzalo Alberto Sanguino, 33, of Glendale, Calif. His bail was set at $20,000.
Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 4:45 a.m.,
Officers responded to a parking garage located on the 2800 block of Neilson Way regarding a burglary suspect in custody. When officers arrived they spoke with a security guard who said that he saw the suspect on security cameras walking through the garage with a bike. The guard did not think the bicycle belonged to the man so he stopped him. The man's story seemed suspicious so the guard called police. Officers determined that the bike did not belong to the suspect and placed him under arrest for attempted burglary. He was identified as Brian Jeerrell Campbell, 24, of Lancaster, Calif. Because he was on probation, no bail was set, police said.
Sunday, Feb. 9, at 8:20 a.m.,
Officers responded to a report of a disturbance at a home located on the 1800 block of Euclid Avenue. Officers were familiar with the address as they had been there earlier in the day to deal with a divorced couple. The woman lived at the home, and the man did not. Officers left, advising the man that he could not stay at the location. Officers were there again because the man allegedly broke one of the windows to the home and was trying to climb in. Officers placed the ex-husband under arrest for burglary. He was identified as Ricardo Lawrence Allen, 59. He refused to give officers a home address, police said. His bail was set at $50,000.
Sunday, Feb. 9, at 5:50 p.m.,
Officers responded to a home along the 1300 block of Sixth Street regarding a report of someone making threats. When officers arrived they spoke with the alleged victim who told them that his brother-in-law was upset with him because of the way he was treating his son. The brother entered the man's bedroom with a sword and allegedly threatened him with it, but he never actually used it. They argued and the brother eventually left the bedroom, but remained at the home until police arrived. He gave officers consent to search his car for the sword, which they found. He was arrested for making criminal threats and for possessing the sword. He was identified as Kevin Todd Gaffuri, 36, of Montclair, Calif. His bail was set at $50,000.
editor@www.smdp.com
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports with the help of the Santa Monica Police Department.
