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. 21, at 8:20 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers were flagged down in the 1200 block of 14th Street regarding a robbery that just occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with the victim, who stated he was sitting on a bus bench when two suspects approached him and grabbed his iPhone and ran away. The victim chased after the suspects. The suspects jumped into a waiting vehicle and fled. Officers observed the vehicle in the 1100 block of 17th Street. Officers arrested the suspects, Andrew Punche, 20, of Inglewood, and Josie Ruttenberg, 18, of Culver City, for grand theft and conspiracy. Their bail was set at $25,000. The third suspect, a 17-year-old boy from Culver City was booked for grand theft and conspiracy. He was released to a guardian.
Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 4 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2600 block of Lincoln Boulevard regarding a theft. When officers arrived, they made contact with a store employee who told officers that another employee had placed bottles of alcohol outside by the loading dock to be picked up later. The bottles of alcohol had not been paid for, police said. Security cameras had observed the employee remove bottles of alcohol and place them in a shopping cart with trash to be disposed of. Security confronted the employee who allegedly confessed to the thefts. The total amount of theft was $687.89. Security placed the suspect under citizen’s arrest. The suspect, Gerrold Babb,19, of Santa Monica, was arrested for burglary. His bail was set at $20,000.
Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 8:30 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 1400 block of Ocean Avenue (Ocean View Hotel) regarding a possible arson attempt. Upon arrival, officers were advised that an employee had seen the suspect burning papers in the stairwell. The suspect was the same person who came in a few days earlier and allegedly took food from the buffet and harassed customers. Officers located the suspect a short distance away. Further investigation revealed that the suspect was trespassing and possibly lit the fire to destroy some paper or as a heat source. The suspect, Jarris Castenda, 31, a transient in Santa Monica, was booked for trespassing and a probation violation. His bail was set at $10,000.
Friday, Oct. 22, at 11:53 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 1300 block of 16th Street regarding a subject trying to open doors and looking under mats of an apartment complex. Upon arrival, officers observed a subject matching the description of the suspect. Upon contacting the subject, she showed signs of being under the influence of a central nervous system drug (meth). Further investigation revealed that the suspect was looking for a friend but did not know what apartment she lived in. Officers also found two glass pipes commonly used to smoke meth, police said. The suspect, Courtney Stout, 29, a transient in Santa Monica, was booked for possession of paraphernalia, being under the influence and a probation violation. Her bail was set at $10,000.
Saturday, Oct. 23, at 1:10 a.m.,
Officers responded to the intersection of Lincoln Boulevard and Colorado Avenue regarding a traffic collision. A police department employee was monitoring traffic when they observed a vehicle rear-end another. Officers contacted the driver of the vehicle that rear-ended another vehicle. The driver allegedly showed symptoms of being impaired. Officers had the driver perform a series of balance and coordination tests. Upon completion officers arrested the driver, Jon Aune, 26, of Los Angeles, for driving while impaired. His bail was set at $30,000.
Sunday, Oct. 24, at 8:45,
Officers responded to the 1900 block of 18th Street regarding a fight between a daughter and mother. Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim (mother) who was visibly upset. She stated that she confronted the suspect (daughter) when her son advised her that the suspect had thrown his shoes into the trash. The mom retrieved the shoes out of the trash and was confronted by her daughter. The daughter grabbed the shoes and threw them back into the trash. The mother grabbed the trash can and started to walk away with the shoes inside. The daughter tried to grab the trash can and allegedly attempted to hit her mother in the head. Her swing hit the mother in the back. As the mom turned, another altercation occurred and both fell to the ground. The mom stated she was desirous of an arrest. The suspect, Sharalee Dudak, 20, of Santa Monica, was arrested for assault and battery. Her bail was set at $20,000.
Thursday, Oct. 21, at 6:05 p.m.,
Officers were flagged down in the 1300 block of the Third Street Promenade (Anthropologie) regarding a theft of clothing. The store employee advised she observed the suspect enter the fitting room carrying two pairs of pants. The suspect was wearing blue jeans. The suspect exited the dressing room wearing purple pants and carrying one pair of pants, the employee told police. As the suspect was at the counter paying for one pair of the pants, the employee asked if she was going to pay for the pair she was currently wearing. The suspect was offended and exited the business wearing the pants. Officers located the suspect a short distance away. The suspect, Cowan Ruth, 61, a transient in Santa Monica, was placed under citizen’s arrest for petty theft. The suspect was additionally booked for a probation violation. Her bail was set at $10,000.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
