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.
Friday, Oct. 11, at 6:50 p.m.,
Officers from the Santa Monica College Police Department responded to one of the school's parking structures regarding a report of someone trying to break into a car. A female arrived at her car to find the engine on, the driver's side door open and a man trying to put a bicycle in her trunk. He took off on the bike when he saw the woman. When officers arrived they broadcast a description of the suspect to other college cops as well as SMPD officers. One SMC officer spotted the suspect and chased him through Virginia Avenue Park. The officer lost sight of the suspect, who was still riding the bike. However, an SMPD officer later found him riding along the 2000 block of Broadway. The car owner was driven to the location and identified the suspect. Officers also found a backpack allegedly belonging to the victim, along with a "shaved key," which is used to start cars, police said. When questioned by police, the suspect allegedly gave a false name. His true identity was later discovered and he was placed under arrest for attempted burglary, grand theft, possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest. He was identified as Anthony Giovanni Autry, 31, a transient. No bail was set.
Sunday, Oct. 13, at 7:35 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 2900 block of Neilson Way regarding a report of an auto burglary that just took place. When officers arrived they spoke with a security guard at the location who said he saw two suspects acting suspicious near a convertible Ford Mustang and believed they were trying to steal it. When he approached them they fled on bicycles. A description of the suspects was broadcast to all officers. They were detained and identified by the security guard. They were also caught on video camera, police said. The suspects allegedly cut open the convertible top to the Mustang so they were both booked for attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools. Steve Rodriguez, 51, of Venice, Calif. also had two warrants for his arrest. His bail was set at $25,000. Zachary Kelley,18, a transient, was booked for violating the terms of his probation. His bail was set at $20,000.
Saturday, Oct. 12, at 9:21 p.m.,
Officers conducted a check of the American Motel located at 1243 Lincoln Blvd. in response to calls about narcotics use and suspicious activity. The front-desk clerk told officers that a guest was acting suspicious. The officers went to the guest's room to speak with them. They made contact with a woman with a dog named Jackson. While speaking with her, officers asked if she had any drugs in the room. She said no. Officers then asked for permission to search the room. She allegedly said, "Sure." Officers searched the room and said they found several baggies containing various amounts of methamphetamine and black tar heroin. Police said she was also in possession of two pipes, three hypodermic needles and other paraphernalia. She was placed under arrest for possession and the dog Jackson was placed in the custody of a friend. The suspect was identified as Brittany Amanda Bethlendy, 26, a transient. Her bail was set at $10,000.
Thursday, Oct. 10, at 2:25 a.m.,
Officers on patrol near the corner of 14th Street and Pico Boulevard saw a 1999 Honda Civic being driven in a suspicious manner. Officers followed the vehicle and it soon became apparent that the driver was trying to elude officers. The driver of the vehicle allegedly ran a couple of stop signs before running into a dead-end along the 1500 block of Grant Street. The officers used their car to box the Civic in and ordered the occupants out of the vehicle. Officers searched the car and found that the steering column was removed, exposing the car's wiring. The vehicle seemed to have been stolen out of Los Angeles. The driver allegedly admitted to not having a proper license and to being on parole. Officers said in the car were items traced back to victims of several car burglaries. All three occupants were placed under arrest for grand theft auto with a gang enhancement and receiving stolen property. They were identified as George Ramirez, 28, of Cypress, Calif.; Amtrojosimar Barrios, 22, of Norwalk, Calif.; and Pedro Antonio Avalos, 23, of Los Angeles. Bail for the last two was set at $75,000. No bail was set for Ramirez, who had a parole violation.
Monday, Oct. 7, at 6:30 p.m.,
Third Street Promenade bicycle officers responded to a report of a theft in progress involving several suspects at the Sephora store located at 12443 Third St. While on their way to the store the officers received an updated description of the suspects, along with a description of their getaway vehicle. Officers spotted the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of Main Street. A security guard at the store arrived at the scene and positively identified the suspects. He said he watched as they took items, concealed them in a bag and walked by several registers without offering to pay. They got into a car that was waiting nearby. Two suspects allegedly committed the theft, while a third acted as the getaway driver. All three were placed under arrest for burglary and conspiracy. The total cost of the recovered merchandise was valued at $2,184. The suspects were identified as Teunshay Nicole White, 30, of Compton, Calif.; Danielle Renee Hunter, 28, of Los Angeles; and Latrell Alvin Johnson, 29, of Gardena, Calif. Bail for all three was set at $20,000.
editor@www.smdp.com
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
