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.
Saturday, April 11, at 2:25 a.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to several reports of auto burglaries in or around the 1300 block of Cedar Street. While speaking with residents, officers observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the area and detained two occupants. Inside the vehicle officers said they found several items strewn about that appeared to have been stolen. Officers discovered three other suspects in the area who they believed were involved in the auto burglaries. Officers said the suspects were in possession of stolen property from at least 10 auto burglaries and are believed responsible for 20 similar burglaries that occurred the night before in the northern section of the city. The suspects were arrested and booked for auto burglary, conspiracy and possession of stolen property. The suspects were identified as Esmeralda Aguirre, 19; David Andres Lopez, 18; a 17-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl — all of Los Angeles. Bail was set at $20,000 for Aguirre and Lopez. Information on the fifth suspect was not available. The burglaries allegedly occurred between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
Monday, April 6, at 4:15 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1300 block of the Third Street Promenade — Gap — regarding a report of a theft at the clothing store. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said they observed a woman select several pairs of sandals and other clothing items valued at $144.99 and put them in a bag before leaving the store, allegedly failing to pay for the items. Once outside the store, security detained the woman until police arrived. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for petty theft. She was identified as Maria Macedo Peralta, 32, from Los Angeles. Her bail was set at $1,000.
Tuesday, April 7, at 6:34 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2400 block of Pico Boulevard — Rite Aid — regarding a report of a theft that just occurred. When officers arrived, they spoke with store security who said the suspect walked into the store carrying a brief cast. The suspect allegedly concealed $151 worth of merchandise inside the briefcase and walked out of the store, failing to pay for the items. An employee told security guards that the suspect was caught stealing from the store before, police said. Security detained the suspect until police arrived. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for commercial burglary. He was identified as David Rule Yardley, 59, from Malibu. His bail was set at $20,000. Items recovered included replacement razors, lip gloss, anti-aging cream, envelopes and eye liner.
Tuesday, April 7, at 8:38 a.m.,
Officers responded to the Chess Park on Ocean Front Walk after receiving a report of a man smoking marijuana. When officers arrived, they located the suspect and discovered he was in possession of over 23 grams of marijuana packaged for sale. The man was arrested and booked for possession with the intent to distribute and for outstanding warrants. He was identified as Thomas Edward Ulatowski, 61, a transient. His bail was set at $23,500.
Wednesday, April 8, at 2:07 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 400 block of Pico Boulevard regarding a report of a theft in progress. When officers arrived they detained three men in possession of a case of wine containing 24 bottles, one of which was broken. The alleged victim told officers that the suspects removed the case of wine from his secured storage area without his permission. The suspects were arrested and booked for burglary. They were identified as Alfredo Gomez Barba, 46, a transient; Mathew Gibson Bernard, 30, a transient; and Terry Parker, 59, a transient. Bail was set at $20,000 for Parker. Barba was also booked for violation of probation. No bail was set. Gibson was also booked for violation of probation and six outstanding warrants. His bail was set at $26,000.
Thursday, April 9, at 2:49 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1400 block of the promenade — Urban Outfitters — regarding a report of a theft. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said a woman set off the store’s alarm system when she tried to leave. Security detained the woman and searched her bag, discovering she was in possession of stolen merchandise, police said. Officers interviewed the woman at the scene and determined she entered the store with the intent to steal. Officers placed her under arrest for commercial burglary. She was identified as Angela Bernadette Charles, 20, of Los Angeles. Her bail was set at $20,000. Officers recovered a sweater, shirt and sunglasses valued at $144.
Thursday, April 9, at 9:19 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1600 block of Ocean Avenue regarding a report of a disturbance. When officers arrived, they made contact with a woman who said a man approached her and her family and asked for money. When the family refused, the man allegedly followed them into a nearby restaurant and grabbed the woman by the collar. Officers attempted to detain the suspect, but the man would not cooperate. Officers used a Taser on the suspect and were able to take him into custody. He was booked for disturbing the peace, battery, and resisting arrest. He also had two outstanding warrants, police said. The suspect was identified as Douglas Johnson, 44, a transient. His bail was set at $21,920.
Friday, April 10, at 12:17 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2100 block of Lincoln Boulevard — Santa Monica Motel — regarding a report of an assault. When officers arrived, they made contact with the alleged victim who said he was assaulted in one of the rooms. Officers later learned that a man and a woman had a dispute with the victim and physically assaulted him. The victim was bleeding profusely and taken to a local hospital. Officers arrested the man and woman for assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury. During a search officers discovered the two were in possession of marijuana, police said. They were also charged with possession of a controlled substance. They were identified as Jeffrey Kevin Servantes, 43, a transient, and Eden Cane Breshnahan, 32, a transient. Their bail was set at $30,000 each.
Editor in Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports with the help of SMPD Sgt. Renaldi Thruston.