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, Nov. 7, at 3:50 p.m.,
A Santa Monica Police officer on patrol was approached by a resident who said a person was trespassing on private property and refused to leave. The suspect was a houseguest who overstayed her welcome. As the officer was talking with the resident, the houseguest came outside and said she was leaving. The officer called for her to come to him and as she did she threw an object on the ground. The officer said the item was a pipe commonly used to smoke meth. As the officer spoke with the woman he determined that she was under the influence of a stimulant. The officer placed the woman under arrest for a few warrants, including contempt of court and making criminal threats, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was identified as Bathsheba Diana Balban, 38, a transient. Her bail was set at $48,500.
Sunday, Nov. 10, at 4:45 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1200 block of Princeton Street regarding a report of someone trying to break into a car parked in a carport. When officers arrived they made contact with the suspect, who did not live at the residence, and detained him for questioning. A witness told police that she saw the suspect trying to pry open a carport storage locker. When he saw her, the suspect allegedly tried to open a car door. When asked what he was doing, the suspect allegedly told the witness that he had just purchased the car for $500. The witness knew the car's owner and did not believe the suspect so she called police. Police officers said they found evidence proving a storage locker had been tampered with. Based on the witness' statements and other evidence, officers placed the suspect under arrest for attempted burglary. He was identified as Kirk Michael Morris, 47, a transient. He was booked for attempted burglary and a probation violation. No bail was set.
Saturday, Nov. 9, at 10 p.m.,
Officers stopped a man riding a bicycle at night without a light near the corner of Fourth Street and Pier Avenue. A woman who lives in the area walked up to police and told them that she thought the bike the man was riding actually belonged to her neighbor. Officers were able to speak with the alleged owner of the bike and determined that it was stolen. The suspect was arrested for possession of stolen property. While being searched, police found a pipe and a small amount of methamphetamine. The suspect was ultimately booked for possession of stolen property, drug paraphernalia and narcotics. He was identified as Chad Andrew Edwards, 20, a transient. No bail was set because he was on probation.
Saturday, Nov. 9, at 1:20 p.m.,
An officer watched as a man on a bike rode around the Main Library as if he was scoping out the joint. The officer made contact with the cyclist and saw in plain view a pair of bolt cutters. The officer asked the man if he could look inside his backpack. He agreed. The officer said he found other tools commonly associated with bicycle burglary. The officer also said he found a pipe and some meth. The suspect was placed under arrest for possession of drugs and paraphernalia. He was identified as Kenneth Mark Gardner, 42, a transient. Since he was on probation, no bail was set.
Friday, Nov. 8, at 4:13 p.m.,
Officers watched as a bicyclist rode on the sidewalk in violation of the Santa Monica Municipal Code. When the officer tried to stop him, he fled. The officer called for help and other officers were able to catch him. During his arrest, he was found to have a small amount of meth on him. When he was taken to jail he was also found to have an ID belonging to someone else. That person was contacted and told officers that he lost his wallet with the identification in it. The suspect, identified as William Benjamin Fausto, 39, of Los Angeles, was booked for possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia as well as two bench warrants and for possession of stolen property. His bail was set at $88,000.
Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 7:42 p.m.,
Officers responded to the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Pacific Street regarding a cyclist who was involved in a traffic accident with a motorist. The bicyclist was mad at the driver, pulled himself up on the side of the vehicle using the open sunroof and allegedly spit on the driver. He then climbed onto the roof and started jumping on it, scaring the driver. He was yelling at the driver to use his blinker. Afterward, he jumped off the car and rode away southbound on Ocean Avenue. Officers obtained a description of the suspect, found him and placed him under arrest for vandalism, assault and battery. The suspect was identified as Gregory Charles Brinkerhoff, 21, of Venice, Calif. His bail was set at $20,000.
editor@www.smdp.com
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
