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, Feb. 25, at 3 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade regarding a report of a theft that just occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with security at the cosmetics store who said they observed a man and two women steal several bottles of perfume. One of the women distracted a sales person while the other two ran out of the store. The woman still in the store was arrested. The other two fled and could still be at large. The man was described as a white male in his 60s, 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 200 pounds with short, gray, balding hair and a fair complexion. The woman was described as white, in her 60s, 5 feet, 8 inches tall, around 180 pounds with long red hair and fair complexion. The woman arrested was identified as Zofia Tapa, 71, from Chicago. She was booked for grand theft and conspiracy to commit a crime. Her bail was set at $20,000. Police said the suspects took 31 bottles of perfume valued at $2,305.
Monday, Feb. 23, at 6:29 a.m.,
Officers responded to the corner of 11th Street and Washington Avenue regarding a report of a fight. When officers arrived, they saw two men arguing in an alley. One of the men took off their belt and struck the other man in the head several times. The man defended himself until police arrived. The man with the belt was placed under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon. The Santa Monica Fire Department was called and provided medical treatment to the victim, who did not have life threatening injuries. The suspect was identified as Jeffrey Lane Whitley, 42, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $30,000.
Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 5:20 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1000 block of Euclid Street regarding a report of possible drug activity going on in a parked car. Officers walked up to the car and made contact with a man sitting in the driver’s seat. Officers also noticed a woman in the passenger’s seat who was allegedly in possession of black tar heroin. Officers said the man was in possession of several laptops believed to be stolen. The woman was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance and violation of probation. The man was arrested for possession of stolen property. They were identified as Blanca Estella Quezada, 31, a transient (bail set at $10,000) and Frank Javier Villareal, 37, of Santa Monica (no bail set).
Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 3:34 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1200 block of the promenade — Sephora — regarding a report of a theft. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said a woman picked up a cosmetics kit valued at $181.50 and left the store without paying. The security guard stopped the woman once outside the store and escorted her back in. She was detained until police arrived. Officers interviewed the woman and learned that she possibly entered the store with the intent to steal. She was found to be in possession of a screw driver, which is often used to break security censors. She was booked for commercial burglary and possession of burglary tools. She was identified as Melissa Alessandra Conte, 37, from Marina del Rey. Her bail was set at $20,000.
Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 8:18 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1200 block of the promenade regarding a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at the Cabo Cantina restaurant. Witnesses told officers that a drunk patron became upset when he was asked to leave the restaurant. When he realized police were called, he allegedly threw a full margarita glass at the victim, striking her in the face. When bartenders tried to subdue him, the man allegedly threw his cell phone, striking two customers. He was taken into custody and booked for assault with a deadly weapon and seven outstanding warrants. He was identified as Justin Lawrence Gillespie, 36, a transient. His bail was set at $77,500.
Thursday, Feb. 26, at 6:20 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2400 block of 34th Street regarding a report of a man smoking narcotics in his vehicle, which was parked on the street. When officers approached the car, officers said they spotted the man with a crack pipe. Officers placed the man under arrested and searched the vehicle and found a small amount of cocaine. The man was later booked for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The suspect was identified as Alexander Goddard Burchell, 42, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $10,000.
Friday, Feb. 27, at 10:42 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 300 block of the Santa Monica Pier regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. An alleged victim told officers that a man walked up to him and pulled out a knife and tried to slash him. Officers later learned that the victim was standing on a spot where the suspect wanted to perform. He wanted the victim to move, police said. The victim flagged down a member of the Harbor Guard, who reported the incident to police. Officers arrested the suspect for assault with a deadly weapon. The knife was recovered. The suspect was identified as Ronald Wayne Jones, 61, of Los Angeles. Bail was set at $30,000.
Saturday, Feb. 28, at 9:25 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 200 block of the Santa Monica Pier regarding a female causing a disturbance by aggressively panhandling visitors and parking booth attendants. Officers attempted to detain the woman and noticed she had a belt in her hand and could potentially use it as a weapon. Despite the belt, officers were able to detain her. While in handcuffs the suspect allegedly spat on one of the officers. She was arrested and booked for battery on a police officer. She was identified as Melissa Noland, 18, of Los Angeles. Her bail was set at $20,000.
Editor in Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports. news@smpd.com
