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.
Wednesday, June 9, at 3:51 a.m.
Officers responded to the 2200 block of Ocean Front Walk regarding a robbery that just occurred. Upon arrival, officers were flagged down by the victims. They stated that they had met the suspects while fishing on the Santa Monica Pier. As the victims were walking back to their car, the suspects approached and assaulted them. When one victim was hit over the head and became unconscious, one of the suspects reached into his pants pocket and removed his cellular phone. The suspects fled to an unknown location. Officers located the suspects a short distance away. The victims positively identified the alleged suspects, leading to the arrests. The suspects were identified as: Ines Montes, 18, of Van Nuys. She was charged with robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Her bail was set at $50,000. The second suspect is a juvenile, 17, of Hollywood. The juvenile was charged with robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. The third suspect is Edgar Andrade, 22, of Pacioma. He was charged with robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. His bail was set at $50,000. The final suspect is Gustavo Esparza, 19, of Panorama City. He was charged with robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. His bail was set at $50,000.
Tuesday, June 8, at 12:45 a.m.
Santa Monica officers were on patrol in the area of the 2000 block of Stewart Street when they observed an individual riding a bicycle. The bicyclist failed to stop for a stop sign at Stewart and Virginia Avenue, prompting the officers to make contact with the rider. During the stop, officers learned that he was on parole and in possession of a “kit,” commonly used to inject narcotics. Further investigation revealed that the bicyclist was in possession of burglary tools as well. The suspect was identified as Michael Fino, 38, of Santa Monica. He was arrested for probable cause burglary, possession of burglary tools, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, a parole violation and a bicycle violation. He was not eligible for bail.
Wednesday, June 9, at 3:42 p.m.
Officers were in the area of Alley Seven and Michigan Avenue when they observed three suspects exit a vehicle and assault a victim that was on the sidewalk. The suspects attempted to slam the victim’s head into a nearby wall. While the victim was on the ground, the suspects continued to hit and kick him. During the melee, an officer ran toward the scene of the assault, prompting the suspects to flee into a waiting vehicle and drive off. The car was stopped a short distance away. Officers contacted the victim, a student at Santa Monica High School, who was uncooperative and didn’t request medical assistance. The suspects were identified as: a juvenile, 17, of Culver City, who was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and promoting a criminal street gang. He was released to his guardians. A juvenile, 16, of Inglewood, who was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and promoting a criminal street gang. He was released to his guardians. Jose Perez, 18, of Inglewood, who was charged with assault with a deadly weapon and promoting a criminal street gang. His bail was set at $60,000. Jaqueline Padilla, 21, of Venice, who was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, promoting criminal street gang, possession of cocaine, possession of a controlled substance for sale and bringing narcotics into the jail. Her bail was set at $60,000.
Thursday, June 10, at 7:06 p.m.
Officers responded to the 3100 block of Wilshire Boulevard (Albertson’s) regarding an attempted robbery. Upon arrival, store personnel advised that they observed the suspect place items in his backpack. The suspect, who is considered a chronic shoplifter, approached the cash register and attempted to pay for a bottle of tea and an onion, at which time he was advised to remove the items from his backpack. The suspect complied and was asked to leave the store. As the suspect went to leave, he attempted to grab the items and flee. The suspect then threw the bottle of tea at a store employee, but was blocked. Employees detained the suspect and called police. The suspect was identified as Raymond Dickerson, 35, a transient. He was booked for assault with a deadly weapon. His bail was set at $30,000.
Friday, June 11, at 10:15 p.m.
Officers were patrolling in the area of Washington Avenue and Alley Two when they heard a subject yell, “They are breaking into cars.” Officers stopped and made contact with the alleged suspects. Further investigation revealed that the suspects had committed several vehicle burglaries in the area. One suspect was found to be in possession of a key that went to a car stolen in Downtown Los Angeles earlier that evening. Officers were able to locate the vehicle. The suspects: Selvin Rodriguez, 31, of Los Angeles, and Yonathan Rodriguez, 21, also of Los Angeles, were arrested for grand theft auto, burglary, conspiracy, receiving stolen property and tampering with a vehicle. Their bails were set at $50,000 each.
Saturday, June 12, at 4:52 a.m.
Officers were patrolling the 1500 block of Palisades Park when they observed a subject in the park after hours. Upon contacting the subject, the subject admitted that he was in possession of marijuana. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for being in the park after hours and possession of marijuana. Further investigation revealed that the suspect had a warrant and was in possession of methamphetamine and narcotic paraphernalia. He was identified as Princeton Parker, 25, of Pasadena. His bail was set at $51,563.
Managing Editor Daniel Archuleta compiled these reports.
