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, April 29, at 11:55 p.m.,
A Santa Monica police officer in a marked vehicle was parked along the curb at the corner of Pico Boulevard and Centinela Avenue monitoring traffic coming into and out of the city when the officer observed a vehicle driving westbound on Pico at a high rate of speed. The driver allegedly slammed on the brakes after noticing a traffic light had turned red. The car came to a stop slightly beyond the line at the intersection, police said. The officer decided to follow the vehicle and conduct a traffic stop after noticing the license plate light was not working. When the officers hit the lights and siren, the driver allegedly sped off and entered the I-10 Freeway going in the wrong direction, causing cars to swerve and brake suddenly. The driver took the freeway to Cloverfield Boulevard, driving in excess of 100 mph, and exited the freeway, where she almost hit another officer who responded to the scene, police said. She then drove northbound on Cloverfield — driving at least 90 mph, failing to stop at red lights — to Santa Monica Boulevard. The female driver then tried to turn left at a speed of 50 mph, but lost control, crashing into a traffic control switch box. The driver tried to continue, but officers rammed her car, blocking her in. The female driver was taken into custody and booked for reckless driving, felony evading, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and driving under the influence of alcohol. She was identified as Kana Cavitt, 26, of Santa Clarita. Her bail was set at $75,000.
Thursday, April 30, at 11:20 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2500 block of Lincoln Boulevard regarding a report of a female running in and out of traffic. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the suspect and she allegedly displayed symptoms that led officers to believe she was under the influence of drugs. After a drug recognition evaluation, officers placed her under arrest and she was booked for being under the influence of a controlled substance (cocaine), a probation violation and a bench warrant for prostitution. The suspect was identified as Lisa Lee Pinis, 42, of Mar Vista. Her bail was set at $20,000.
Saturday, May 2, at 12:18 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard — Britannia Pub — regarding a report of a fight during which someone involved was struck with a bottle. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the alleged victim, who had a laceration approximately 2 inches long on the side of his chin. He advised officers that he had been in an altercation at the pub and that he was struck in the face with a bottle. The victim positively identified the suspect, who was placed under arrest at the scene and booked for assault with a deadly weapon. The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics, but refused further medical treatment or transportation to a local hospital. The suspect was identified as Dane Michael Nielsen, 24, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $30,000.
Saturday, May 2. at 4:18 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1300 block of Wilshire Boulevard — Vons — regarding a report of a shoplifting suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said they saw the suspect pushing a shopping cart down one of the isles and place two boxes of cereal in the cart. The suspect then allegedly pulled out plastic bags from Vons that he had stashed in a pocket. He put the cereal in the bags and continued shopping. Eventually the suspect left the store with the items in shopping bags, but failed to pay. He was detained by security until police arrived. Officers questioned the suspect and placed him under arrest for burglary. The suspect was identified as Rolando Guillermo Ramirez, 62, of Beverly Hills. His bail was set at $20,000. All of the items were recovered. They included bagels, turkey sandwiches, protein drinks and bananas. The items were valued at $51.37.
Thursday, April 30,
Officers arrested a suspect wanted in connection with a residential burglary. On March 18, officers responded to a report of a residential burglary that occurred in the 800 block of Fourth Street. The alleged victim said she came home to find items missing, including iPod accessories. She told officers that she had been burglarized before and had left her sliding door open in both incidents. Evidence was collected and a month later officers identified the suspect as Jason Eugene Estrada, 27, of Santa Monica, who lived in the same complex as the victim, police said. Estrada was booked for burglary and a probation violation. His bail was set at $50,000.
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports. news@www.smdp.com
