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, Oct. 5, at 12:20 a.m.,
Santa Monica police officers on routine patrol in the area of Cloverfield Boulevard and Colorado Avenue observed a vehicle with a modified exhaust system and other vehicle code violations. Officers stopped the driver near 26th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard. Officers made contact with the driver and saw five pounds of marijuana in the backseat of the car, police said. The driver allegedly told officers that he had a medical marijuana prescription that allowed him to be in possession of the drug. He said he had transported the marijuana from Tulare, Calif. and was going to donate it to a medical marijuana facility. As officers were talking to the driver, another person arrived. That person said he was with the driver and had permission to possess or transport five pounds of weed. Further investigation revealed that a qualified patient or primary caregiver may possess no more than eight ounces of dried marijuana per qualified patient. The officers arrested both men. They were booked for possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. The suspect’s were identified as Timothy Chlouber, 47, and Thomas Martinez, 25; both from Ivanhoe, Calif. Martinez had an additional charge of possession of lost property because he allegedly had someone else’s health card in his possession. Their bail was set at $25,000.
Monday, Oct. 4, at 11:23 p.m.,
Officers were patrolling the area of the 2000 block of Ocean Avenue when they saw someone riding a bike on the sidewalk. Officers stopped the man for the municipal code violation. Officers said the suspect did not have any identification on him. Further investigation revealed he was in possession of methamphetamine, a glass pipe and burglary tools. The suspect was arrested for possession of drugs, paraphernalia, burglary tools and for the municipal code and probation violations. He was identified as Kurt Nelson, 48, a transient. His bail was set at $10,000.
Thursday, Oct. 7, at 6:40 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 300 block of Pico Boulevard (El Texate) regarding a customer refusing to pay for his meal. When officers arrived, they were advised by an employee at the restaurant that the suspect ordered $18.62 worth of food. After eating, the suspect allegedly told employees that he had no money to pay for the meal. Officers recognized the suspect as someone who had tried this before at two other restaurants within the last week. The suspect was arrested and booked for burglary. He was identified as Damon Bradbury, 23, a transient in Santa Monica. His bail was set at $20,000.
Thursday, Oct. 7, at 1:04 a.m.,
Officers received a call from a citizen reporting a wrong-way driver on Interstate 10. As officers were checking the freeway, they were advised that a vehicle had just been involved in a hit and run and was proceeding westbound toward Pacific Coast Highway. Officers checked the area and noticed a vehicle parked in the lot at PCH and Temescal. As the officers approached the vehicle, the driver shut the door and started walking into the middle of PCH. Officers were able to direct the driver back to the sidewalk. As officers talked with the driver, they believed he was under the influence of alcohol. They observed some fresh damage to his vehicle. Officers had the driver perform a series of balance and coordination tests and determined he was drunk. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for DUI and for driving without a license. He was identified as Ganbaatar Battur, 28. His bail was set at $30,000.
Saturday, Oct. 9, at 7:10 p.m.,
Officers responded to the area of Fourth Street and Colorado Avenue regarding an auto burglary in progress. While en route, officers were advised that the suspect was possibly fleeing the area. As officers arrived, they heard someone yelling for help. Officers located the person yelling and saw him holding the suspect in a bear hug. The officers took custody of the suspect. They were advised by the victims that they were walking to their car when they observed the suspect inside of their vehicle and he had on one of the grandchildren’s sweatshirts. The victims confronted the suspect and got back the sweatshirt. As the suspect was giving it back, he attempted to strike one of the victims, but was unsuccessful, police said. The suspect then fled. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for robbery and burglary. He was identified as Kelsey Richardson, 27, of Culver City. His bail was set at $50,000.
Saturday, Oct. 9, at 7:34 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1500 block of Fifth Street regarding a domestic violence call. When officers arrived, they made contact with the alleged victim who told officers that she was in a dating relationship with the suspect for the last eight years. He came over to the apartment and was drinking beer. While there, the victim received a phone call from a family member and after talking with that person for awhile, the suspect grabbed the phone and started talking. The suspect allegedly threw the phone at the victim’s back. The victim then went to take a shower. The suspect allegedly pulled her out of the shower and started choking her, striking her in the face and kicking her in the stomach. The victim was able to break free and ran out of the apartment. The suspect gave chase and caught her in the courtyard. He allegedly choked her and tried to drag her back into the apartment. The victim again broke free and ran to a neighbor’s place. The suspect fled. Officers located the suspect at his home and placed him under arrest for attempted murder, kidnapping, domestic violence and a parole violation. He was identified as Rufus Williams, 47, of Los Angeles. He was not eligible for bail.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
