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.
Sunday, Oct. 7, at 2:17 a.m.,
Officers on patrol along the 3000 block of Main Street in an unmarked car saw a black BMW doing donuts in the street (three complete circles at a high rate of speed). Officers flipped on their emergency lights and gave pursuit as the driver of the BMW fled westbound on Marine Street. The driver made it all the way to Dudley Court in Venice before crashing. All three passengers fled. Two were apprehended after a short foot pursuit. The driver and registered owner avoided arrest. No word if he was eventually captured. The two suspects in custody were booked for resisting arrest. They were identified as Dario Puentes, 21, of Culver City; and Sean Dudevoir, 22, of Los Angeles. Bail was set at $10,000 each.
Sunday, Oct. 7, at 6:45 p.m.,
Officers responded to a traffic collision in which a driver crashed into two parked cars at the corner of 19th Street and California Avenue. When officers arrived, they made contact with the driver and immediately smelled alcohol on her breath. The driver allegedly told officers that she was drinking before the crash. Officers conducted a field sobriety test on the driver and determined that she was under the influence of alcohol. She was placed under arrest for DUI and booked. She was identified as Chloe Lorraine Blevins, 22, of Los Angeles. Her bail was set at $15,000.
Saturday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m.,
Officers were on patrol in the 1900 block of Alley 13 when they saw a gray Mercedes parked along the alley with a man standing outside the driver's side window. Officers recognized the female driver from prior drug arrests and the man as a Santa Monica gang member. As officers got closer to the car, they said they saw what appeared to be a hand-to-hand drug transaction. As officers got out of their car, they said they saw the driver move her hands toward the center console as if she was trying to hide something. Officers detained her until a K9 could be called out. The dog sniffed the outside of the car and got a hit. Officers searched the car and found several pills and heroin inside, police said. Officers took the suspect into custody and searched the area where she was standing during the search. There they said they found a small baggie containing methamphetamines. The suspect was eventually booked for the transportation and possession of a controlled substance, and a suspended license. She was identified as Elizabeth Diaz, 42. Her bail was set at $30,000.
Friday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m.,
Officers were on patrol on the 1500 block of Palisades Park when they stopped a pedestrian to issue a citation for some minor crime when they were approached by the manager of The Lobster restaurant. The manager told police that he was having an issue with a homeless man who had been asked to leave the restaurant but was now trying to get back in. After officers finished with the pedestrian, they noticed that the manager was now fighting with the suspect, who was trying to enter through the front doors. Officers made contact with the suspect, who allegedly tried to fight them. Officers took the suspect to the ground and after a short struggle, they placed him in handcuffs. The suspect was booked for assault, battery and resisting arrest. He was identified as Michael Kazan, 51, a transient. Bail was set at $20,000.
Thursday, Oct. 4, at 7:13 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1600 block of Fifth Street regarding a report of a suspect trying to gain entry into a secure commercial building. When officers arrived, they made contact with a witness who told them that the suspect was trying to open a lock box affixed to the side of the building that possesses keys to get inside. Officers checked the building and found the suspect trying to hide along the south side of the building. As officers approached, the suspect climbed a fence and took off running westbound. He went into a subterranean garage and trapped himself inside. Officers closed in on him. The suspect allegedly took a fighting stance and proceeded to swing his fists at the officers. The suspect was struck with a baton and taken to the ground. He was eventually handcuffed and arrested for burglary and resisting arrest. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment to his leg and then booked at the Santa Monica Jail. He was identified as Jason Vasquez, 34, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $20,000.
Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 9:20 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 300 block of Colorado Avenue — Sears — regarding a shoplifter in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said that they saw the suspect enter the store and grab several items off the racks and try to remove security censors. He then went into a dressing room and left moments later without any clothes. He then allegedly took some cologne and left the store without offering to pay for it. He was confronted by security and detained. The stolen items were recovered. The suspect allegedly told police that he stole the stuff because he was cold and smelled. The suspect was identified as Daniel Gieg, 25, of Venice. His bail was set at $20,000.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
