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.
Thursday, Aug. 9, at 1:55 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers on the Third Street Promenade were flagged down by a man who said he had just been assaulted while eating his lunch in the outdoor dining area of the Coffee Bean located at 1312 Third St. The man told officers that while he and a friend were eating, a woman came up to them and said she was having a crisis. She then allegedly knocked over their food and drinks while yelling. She then allegedly tore off the man's proximity card used for work that he valued at $300 and walked away with it. The man chased the suspect down and when he tried to grab her she allegedly spun around and struck him in the head and then started scratching him. The suspect dropped the card and fled southbound. Officers located the suspect sitting at a bus bench at Third Street and Broadway. She was placed under arrest for robbery. She was identified as Jessica Larkin, 26, a transient. Her bail was set at $50,000.
Sunday, Aug. 12, at 12:18 p.m.,
Officers responded to Bubba Gump's restaurant on the Santa Monica Pier after receiving a report about a customer who was refusing to pay for their meal. When cops arrived, they spoke with the restaurant manager who told them that the patron ate his meal and then told his server that he could not pay the bill, which was for $28. The manager told the man that if he didn't pay he would be arrested. He was fine with that. When officers spoke with the suspect, he allegedly told them that he didn't realize he didn't have any money until the bill arrived and he had no other means to pay. He was placed under arrest for defrauding an innkeeper and a probation violation. He was identified as Peter Grcevich, 33, of Las Vegas. His bail was set at $1,000.
Saturday, Aug. 11, at 12:22 p.m.,
Officers responded to Pacific Park on the pier regarding a suspect who was refusing to leave and was allegedly becoming combative. When officers arrived, they contacted security at the amusement park who said that the suspect was seen sitting inside the food court begging customers for food. When security approached, the man allegedly began mocking them and refused to leave. He grew more agitated and tried to walk back inside the amusement park, at which point security tried to block his path. The suspect pushed one guard, almost knocking him to the ground, police said. He then tried to climb a nearby tree, but was detained by security. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for trespassing. Police said the suspect was uncooperative and other officers had to be called to place him inside a patrol car. The suspect was booked for assault, battery, resisting arrest and fighting in a public space. He was identified as Leroy Lewis, 35, a transient. His bail was set at $20,000.
Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 9:02 p.m.,
Officers were on patrol on the 3200 block of Colorado Avenue when they saw a man riding his bike on the sidewalk without a bike light; both are violations. Officers stopped the suspect, who said he did not have any identification on him. Officers detained and searched him. They said they found a glass pipe and a small baggy containing methamphetamine. He was booked for possession of drug paraphernalia and meth. He was identified as Miguel Vasquez, 21, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $10,000.
Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 6:11 a.m.,
Officers responded to a home on the 1500 block of Maple Street to conduct a parole compliance check. While there, officers said they found heroin and a pair of brass knuckles. Both the parolee and his girlfriend were arrested. Matthew Steger, 32, of Santa Monica, was booked for possession of a controlled substance and brass knuckles. His bail was set at $10,000. Selena Gable, 34, of Santa Monica, was booked for possession of a controlled substance.
Wednesday, Aug. 8,
Officers arrested a clerk at Nordstrom for allegedly helping a former employee get discounts on purchases and receive refunds for purchases he never made. Police said security at the department store in July saw the former employee walk into the store and make several purchases using his employee discount, which he was no longer entitled to. He completed the purchases with the help of several current employees, police said. In addition, he made several fraudulent returns. The employee accused of assisting the suspect was identified as Karla Rivera, 26, of Los Angeles. She was booked for burglary. Her bail was set at $20,000. The man who made the purchases is still at large. Police did not release any more information because the case is still under investigation.
Tuesday, Aug. 7, at 7:35 a.m.,
Officers received a report of vandalism on the 300 block of Pico Boulevard. When officers arrived, they made contact with a witness who said that he saw a man tagging a light pole. Police checked the area and detained a suspect at the corner of 29th Street and Pico Boulevard. The witness identified the suspect, who police said had a no-bail warrant for his arrest. During a search, police said they recovered several syringes in the suspect's possession. He was eventually booked for vandalism, possession of drug paraphernalia and a parole violation. He was identified as Matthew Case, 32, of Santa Monica. No bail was set.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
