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, Oct. 17, at 4:30 p.m.,
A Santa Monica Police officer driving westbound on Santa Monica Boulevard near Seventh Street got a hit on his patrol car's LoJack recovery system. The officer learned that a 2001 Nissan Xterra had been stolen out of the LAPD's Southwest Division. The officer followed the signal until he approached an SUV that matched the description of the stolen vehicle given by LoJack. The vehicle was parked in the 800 block of Alley 4 and there was someone inside. The officer called for backup. Once other units arrived, the officer ordered the occupants out of the SUV. Two people got out and were detained for questioning. Officers placed them under arrest for grand theft auto. Officers later learned during the booking process that the SUV was carjacked. At that time both suspects were booked for carjacking. They were identified as Jonathan Lopez, 22, of Los Angeles; and Maria Concepcion Morales, 20, of Los Angeles. No bail was set for Lopez because of a parole violation. Bail for Morales was set at $100,000.
Sunday, Oct. 20, at 4 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1000 block of Euclid Avenue regarding a report of a theft that just occurred. When officers arrived they spoke with a man who said he saw someone enter a neighbor's garage and then leave a few minutes later carrying a large, red-colored power drill. The man yelled at the suspect to put the drill back where it belonged but he just started running. He was seen wearing a black-and-white striped shirt and a blue backpack. Officers detained a man matching that description a few blocks from the crime scene. He was positively identified by the witness and placed under arrest for burglary, receiving stolen property, being under the influence of drugs and a probation violation. He was identified as Raul Tarango, 36, of Los Angeles. No bail was set.
Saturday, Oct. 19, at 6 a.m.,
Officers on patrol responded to the 1500 block of Lincoln Boulevard regarding a report of a man at a restaurant who was refusing to pay his bill. When officers arrived they saw the suspect standing in front of the restaurant. The waiters said the man told them he would be able to pay for the food when he ordered it, but then refused when presented with the bill. Officers spoke with the suspect and came to the conclusion that he never intended to pay. The suspect had no cash or credit cards on him. He also had a prior arrest for the same violation. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for defrauding an innkeeper. He was identified as Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin, 23, of San Mateo, Calif. His bail was set at $500.
Saturday, Oct. 19, at 1 a.m.,
An officer on patrol spotted a bicyclist riding south on the west side of the 2900 block of Main Street without a visible forward light, a violation of the vehicle code. Officers pulled the cyclist over for the violation. While questioning him, officers noticed a plastic bag sticking out of the middle-finger area of a glove the cyclist was wearing on his left hand. The baggie was found to contain methamphetamine, police said. Officers searched the suspect and said they found a capped syringe in a sock, along with a small tin box filled with empty plastic baggies. The suspect was placed under arrest and booked for drug possession. He was identified as Michael Wesley Munsterman, 32, of Venice, Calif. His bail was set at $10,000.
Friday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m.,
Officers responded to a department store located on the 300 block of Colorado Avenue regarding a report of theft. While en route they received a description of the suspect from dispatch. He was said to be wearing a pair of gray Levi's shorts, which he allegedly stole from the store. He was described as a black male with sunglasses and black shoes. Officers located a man matching that description near the corner of Fourth Street and Olympic Drive. He allegedly admitted to the officers that he stole the shorts because he needed a new pair, but didn't have the money. He also gave a false name and birth date, which led to additional charges being filed. The suspect was ultimately booked for burglary and providing false information. He was identified as Drevon Kyrell Simmons, 18, a transient. Bail was set at $2,000.
Thursday, Oct. 17, at 5 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2100 block of Main Street regarding a report of a theft that just took place at a local market. The store owner said the suspect threatened him before leaving with a 12-ounce bottle of beer. He didn't offer to pay for it, police said. One of the market employees followed the suspect from a safe distance and flagged down officers. The suspect was detained and identified by witnesses. The suspect was booked for robbery. He was identified as Jason Michael Hurley, 43, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
editor@www.smdp.com
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
