Crime Watch is a weekly series culled from the reports provided by the Santa Monica Police Department. These are arrests only. All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Monday, April 28
Santa Monica officers responded to the 2200 block of Arizona Avenue at about 3 p.m. when a traffic service officer (TSO) activated his emergency help button after being assaulted by a violator as he attempted to issue a parking ticket. The TSO asked the driver, who was parked in a preferential parking space, to move his vehicle due to not having the appropriate placard. The driver stated he was waiting for his friend who was at Saint John's Hospital and he would move when his friend arrived. The driver then exited his vehicle and stood behind the rear license plate to block it from the TSO's view. After asking the driver several more times to move the vehicle, the TSO exited his scooter and began to issue a parking ticket. The driver then forced himself between the TSO and the vehicle by pushing the TSO out of the way. He pushed the TSO several more times with his shoulder and arm until the TSO retreated back to his scooter and activated his emergency button. After the initial investigation was completed, officers arrested the driver for battery on a code enforcement officer during the performance of his duties. The suspect was identified as Attila Korosi, 27, of Los Angeles. Bail was set at $20,000.
Monday, April 28
Officers responded to the 800 block of Santa Monica Boulevard at approximately 5 p.m. regarding a truck which collided into a pole and the driver had left the scene. While officers were investigating the traffic collision, a subject approached them and said he was the driver. He said while he was driving, he became distracted by playing with his pet bird which was in a cage on the passenger seat. He lost control of his vehicle and collided into the city pole. A search of the driver's vehicle revealed two small plastic baggies of methamphetamine, a glass pipe to ingest methamphetamine and possible stolen construction and electronic equipment in the bed of the truck. The driver was arrested for the narcotics, paraphernalia and possible stolen merchandise. The bird was uninjured and transported to the Santa Monica Animal Shelter. The suspect was identified at as Yuri Hovhannisyan, 27, of Van Nuys. Bail was set at $20,000.
Sunday, April 27
Officers responded to the area of 10th Street and Wilshire Boulevard at approximately 2:30 a.m. regarding a man with a gun. Further comments of the call stated the man was wearing no shirt, no shoes, and had a gun tucked in his pants. Officers responded and coordinated their approach. The man ducked behind a trash bin, threw the loaded semi-automatic firearm onto the ground and complied with the officers' orders. The subject was detained without further incident. The subject stated he lives in the area and always carries his firearm with him wherever he goes. The subject's gun was confiscated and he was arrested for unlawfully carrying a loaded and unregistered firearm. The suspect was identified as Nicholas Hahn, 35, of Santa Monica. Bail was set at $500,000.
Sunday, April 27
Officers responded to the TJ Maxx at 1251 Fourth St. at approximately 12:30 p.m. regarding a shoplifter being detained by loss prevention employees. Employees stated they saw the subject select several articles of clothing and place them in a bag. The subject then exited the store without paying for the items. Once outside, employees identified themselves and escorted the subject back to their office. A search of the subject's belongings revealed wire cutters (which he used to cut off the security sensors) and multiple articles of clothing belonging to TJ Maxx. Employees requested a private person's arrest of the subject. The subject was placed under arrest for burglary and possession of burglary tools. All items were recovered, valued at $360. The suspect was identified as Cristian Rodriguez, 18, of Los Angeles. Bail was set at $20,000.
Saturday, April 26
Officers spoke to a subject in the 400 block of Broadway at approximately 4 p.m. During their conversation, the officers asked if they could search the subject. The subject said, "Yes. All I have is my medicine." The officers conducted their search and found a clear plastic baggie containing methamphetamine. The subject told the officers his doctor prescribed him the methamphetamine as his medicine. The subject was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. The suspect was identified as Antoine Trezona, 61, of Brentwood. Bail was set at $10,000.
Thursday, April 24
Officers saw a subject cross the street in the 300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard outside of a marked crosswalk (jaywalking) at approximately 9 p.m. Officers detained the subject and began speaking to him about the traffic violation. During their questioning the officers discovered the subject was on active parole for residential burglary. A parole search of the subject was conducted and a butterfly knife was located in his pocket. He was arrested for a parole violation, possession of a switchblade knife and jaywalking. The suspect was identified as Kevin Stutzriem, 20, of Los Angeles. No bail was set.
Thursday, April 24
Officers responded to the Rite Aid at 1331 Wilshire Blvd. at approximately 2:45 p.m. regarding a shoplifter being detained by loss prevention employees. Employees told the officers they saw the subject acting suspicious and eventually saw her placing multiple items (soap and shampoo) into her personal bag. The subject then exited the store without making an attempt to pay for the items. Once outside, employees identified themselves and asked her for the stolen merchandise. She accompanied them back to their office and returned the items (recovered approximately $55 worth of merchandise). Employees asked for prosecution for petty theft. She was arrested and transported to the Santa Monica Jail where she was eventually issued a citation and released. The suspect was identified as Stephanie Haley, 48, of Los Angeles. Bail was set at $1,000.
matt@www.smdp.com
