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, March 30 at 7:10 a.m.,
Santa Monica Police officers responded to the 2400 block of Wilshire Boulevard — Jack in the Box — regarding a report of an assault that took place inside the restaurant. An employee told officers that she had just re-filled a self-serve coffee dispenser when the suspect asked the employee where the coffee cup lids were. And then, for no reason, the suspect started yelling at the employee and allegedly threw a full cup of hot coffee at the employee, hitting her in the chest. The suspect was detained a few blocks from the restaurant and placed under arrest. The victim was transported to a local hospital to be treated for burns to her chest. The suspect was transported to the Santa Monica Jail where she allegedly tried to punch a female jailer in the face. She was booked for assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a jail officer. She was identified as Rhonda Matoyer, 53, a transient. Her bail was set at $30,000.
Sunday, March 31 at 6:23 a.m.,
Officers responded to a home located on the 1000 block of 20th Street regarding a report of a residential burglary in progress. When officers arrived they spoke with a woman who said her upstairs neighbors were out of town on vacation yet she could hear someone inside their apartment. Officers went to the unit and ordered whomever was inside to come out. A man was taken into custody without incident. The residents on vacation returned to find the apartment ransacked and some property missing. Based on the investigation, police believe the suspect was inside the apartment the night before he was arrested and took some property. The case is ongoing. The suspect arrested was identified as Frank Thomas, 37, of Malibu. He was booked for burglary, possession of burglary tools and a parole violation. No bail was set.
Sunday, March 31, at 2:40 p.m.,
Officers responded to a home on the 1900 block of 18th Street regarding a fight between family members. When officers arrived they learned that about 20 family members had gathered to celebrate Easter. Two brothers got into a fight after one of them allegedly berated one of their sisters about her boyfriend. When one of the brothers stepped in, the other attacked him and allegedly choked him for several minutes until he almost lost consciousness. The suspect ran when he heard police sirens. Officers were able to place the brother under arrest for assault. He was identified as Jose Manuel Campos, 24, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $30,000.
