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.
Monday, July 23, at 8:18 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the 1900 block of Arizona Avenue regarding someone trespassing in the parking garage of an apartment building. When officers arrived, they made contact with a man who had set up a camp inside the garage. The man allegedly admitted that he was on probation and in possession of a pipe used to smoke methamphetamines. Officers found the pipe and after inspecting it said they found some meth. The suspect was placed under arrest and transported to the Santa Monica Jail where he was booked for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and a probation violation. He was identified as David Allen Shavalier, 29, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $10,000.
Tuesday, July 24, at 8:02 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 200 block of Broadway regarding an assault that occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with a female employee at the Santa Monica Place mall who said she was on her break when she saw a man standing 15 feet behind her. As she continued to talk on her phone she said the man took a swing at her head. She ducked. The man then allegedly spit on her. The man, who was later determined to be homeless, remained at the scene when witnesses intervened and called police. The employee identified the suspect and he was placed under arrest for assault and a probation violation. He was identified as Robert Blake, 28, a transient. His bail was set at $20,000.
Thursday, July 26, at 7:45 p.m.,
Police responded to the area of 19th Street and Colorado Avenue regarding a fight in progress. When officers arrived, they detained two men who were brawling. During the investigation, officers determined that one of the two men was actually the victim of a robbery. He told officers that he was riding his bike east on Broadway when he stopped for a traffic light at 20th Street. He saw a dark-colored Honda drive by and stop at the curb near him. At least four men got out and allegedly threatened the cyclist. The suspects surrounded him and one pushed him backwards and into the street. All suspects were challenging him to fight. He pulled out his cell phone and called police. The suspects fled in different directions, one of them on his bicycle. One of the suspects stayed behind and continued to challenge the victim, police said. Officers placed that suspect under arrest for robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime. He was identified as Robert Mendelson, 19, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $50,000. Officers continue to investigate.
Friday, July 27, at 10:27 p.m.,
Officers were on patrol on the 2100 block of Delaware Avenue when they saw a man cross the street without waiting for the light to turn green. Officers stopped him to issue him a ticket. While talking with the man, officers learned he had no ID. Officers searched him and allegedly found a baggie containing methamphetamines in his pants pocket. He was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance. He was identified as Aaron Jernigan, 44, a transient. His bail was set at $10,000.
Saturday, July 28, at 8:20 p.m.,
Officers were on patrol near Lincoln and Ocean Park boulevards when they noticed a man running out of the Albertson's parking lot carrying two nylon bags in his hands Officers then saw an Albertson's employee chasing the suspect. Officers saw the suspect drop the bags as he ran into a nearby alley. Officers detained the suspect in the alley. The store employee said the suspect stole cosmetics and personal hygiene products worth roughly $500. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for shoplifting. They searched him and said they found prescription drugs that did not belong to the suspect, as well as a syringe. The suspect was eventually booked for burglary and possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He was identified as Michael Woolen, 20, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $20,000.
Saturday, July 28, at 2 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 300 block of Colorado Avenue — Bloomingdale's — regarding a report of a shoplifter in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with a security guard who said that he saw the suspect enter the store and proceed directly to the Burberry collection and select a pair of jeans. The suspect then went to the fitting room with the jeans and then quickly exited without them. An employee checked the dressing room and did not see the jeans. The suspect left the store without paying for anything. Security confronted the suspect, who allegedly tried to flee. He was detained by security, who said he was wearing the Burberry jeans and two Burberry shirts underneath his clothes. He allegedly also had a pair of pliers. The total loss was estimated at $716. The suspect was placed under arrest for burglary and a probation violation. He was identified as Gregory Wells, 30. His bail was set at $50,000.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
