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, Sept. 11, at 12:48 a.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the 2500 block of Lincoln Boulevard — ARCO — regarding a strong-arm robbery that just occurred. When officers arrived, they found the suspect at the cashier’s window and detained him without incident. Officers made contact with the alleged victim who told them that he had accidentally stepped on the suspect’s shoe. The suspect grew angry and told the victim that if he did not buy him cigarettes he would beat him up, police said. The victim bought the cigarettes and gave them to the suspect, who then demanded money. In fear for his safety, the victim gave up his cash as well. The victim left the scene and called police. The victim identified the suspect, who was placed under arrest and transported to the Santa Monica Jail where he was booked for robbery and a probation violation. He was identified as Daniel Desouza, 21, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $50,000.
Sunday, Sept. 11, at 4:24 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1800 block of Wilshire Boulevard — Rite-Aid — regarding a report of a burglary. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said a man walked into the store and broke into a locked display containing shaving supplies. The suspect allegedly stole 18 packs of Gillette razor cartridges valued at $256. He fled the store when the alarm went off, police said. Security chased the suspect as he ran west on Wilshire Boulevard. As they approached 15th Street, security was able to take the property back as the suspect continued to run southbound on Euclid Street and out of sight. Officers located the suspect short thereafter and he was identified by store security. He was placed under arrest for burglary and a probation violation. He was identified as Dontae Hines, 28, a transient. No bail was set.
Saturday, Sept. 10, at 12:30 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1500 block of Lincoln Boulevard — Denny’s — regarding a man who was allegedly loitering. When officers arrived, they contacted the restaurant manager, who told them that the female suspect entered the restaurant, ordered food and over the last four hours, had been sitting in a booth slowly eating her meal while also making a large mess around her. The manager asked the woman to pay her bill and leave, and she allegedly ignored him. Officers asked the woman if she would pay, but she told them that she had no way of doing so. The manager was desirous of prosecution and officers placed the suspect under arrest for defrauding an innkeeper. She was identified as Ziada Asmelash, 37, a transient. Her bail was at $500.
Saturday, Sept. 10, at 8:41 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 1400 block of 14th Street regarding a report of a burglary that just occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with the victim who said he and two of his employees found a man inside of a construction site vandalizing a window. The suspect ran out of the building and was followed by the construction workers. The workers realized that the building’s copper wiring had been stripped and several stainless steel appliances had been stolen. Officers searched the area and located the suspect in the 100 block of Colorado Avenue. He was positively identified and placed under arrest. The suspect later admitted to entering the building several times to take the building’s copper wiring, police said. He denied taking the appliances. The suspect was booked for commercial burglary and a probation violation. He was identified as Robert Phillips, 38, a transient.
Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 9:59 p.m.,
Officers responded to the area of Bay Street and Ocean Front Walk regarding a report of a man threatening to kill people as they walked by. When officers arrived, they detained the suspect and during a search found a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. The suspect was placed under arrest. During the booking search, officers found meth in the suspect’s possession. The suspect was identified as Michael Rykard, 51, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $10,000.
Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 5:45 p.m.,
Officers working undercover with the Crime Impact Team were in the area of Lincoln and Ocean Park boulevards when they saw two women standing along the corner waiving at motorists. Officers have received reports of prostitution in the area and believed the women were trying to solicit. An undercover officer approached the two women, who allegedly agreed to have sex with the officer in exchange for cash. The women jumped into the officer’s car and they drove off. A short time later, police conducted a traffic stop and the two women were placed under arrest. One suspect was identified as a 17-year-old juvenile who was cited for loitering with the intent to solicit and was released to her mother. The second suspect, identified as Shantal Robinson, 21, a transient, was booked for prostitution. Her bail was set at $20,000.
Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 7:53 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2300 block of Pico Boulevard — Rite-Aid — regarding a report of an assault in progress. When officers arrived, they met with the victim, a security guard at Rite-Aid, who told officers he was working when he saw a man aggressively panhandling just outside of the store. He went outside and asked the man to leave. The suspect grew angry and removed a large knife from his pocket and allegedly threatened to kill the victim. The suspect fled with the victim following behind at a safe distance. He called 911 and officers detained the suspect without incident. The suspect was booked for assault with a deadly weapon and a probation violation. He was identified as Anastacio Pena, 43, a transient. His bail was set at $30,000.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
