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.
Saturday, Sept. 12, at 12:45 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade — Sephora — regarding a shoplifting suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said two suspects entered the fragrance store, one carrying a Sephora bag. That suspect gave the bag to the other individual, who proceeded to put items from the store into it, police said. That individual gave the bag back to the alleged accomplice, who took the items to the register to return them and obtain credit at the store. As the suspect was talking with a cashier, the other suspect used another bag to take items off the shelves. The suspect then placed those items into the original Sephora bag and both suspects walked out of the store, failing to pay for the items. They were apprehended by store security. Officers took the suspects into custody and they were booked for burglary and possession of stolen property. The suspects were identified as Jila Khodadad, 53, and Ramon Barokhamiri, 27, both of Los Angeles. Their bail was set at $20,000.
Saturday, Sept. 12, at 4:15 p.m.,
Officers conducted a traffic stop in the 1200 block of Michigan Avenue for a vehicle code violation. During their investigation, officers said they smelled marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The occupants confirmed that they had been smoking marijuana earlier and there was additional weed inside the vehicle. Officers received permission to search the car. Officers located additional evidence to show probable cause that one of the individuals in the car had been involved in selling marijuana. That suspect was placed under arrest for possession of marijuana for sale and outstanding warrants. The suspect was identified as Michael Watts, 23, of Torrance. His bail was set at $23,650. The driver was issued a citation and released.
Friday, Sept. 11, at 2:45 a.m.,
Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at Main Street and Ocean Park Boulevard for a vehicle code violation. While speaking with the driver, officers learned that the driver was on probation. During a probation search of the vehicle, officers located tools that are commonly used to commit burglaries. Officers also uncovered information that contradicted statements made by the two occupants of the vehicle. Officers placed both under arrest for probable cause burglary. They were identified as Oscar Curiel, 34, of Inglewood, and Obdulia Pichardo, 30, of Hawthorne. Pichardo’s bail was set at $20,000. Curiel was not eligible for bail.
Thursday, Sept. 10, at 2:46 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2400 block of Pico Boulevard — Rite Aid — regarding a shoplifting suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said the suspect entered the store and placed several items into his backpack. The suspect then left the store, failing to pay for the items. Security guards went after the suspect, grabbing his backpack. As security went back into the store, the suspect allegedly grabbed the security guard and put him in a bear hug. The suspect then tried to grab the backpack, which broke, sending the stolen items crashing to the floor. The suspect then fled, but was detained a short distance away. The suspect was placed under arrest for robbery. He was identified as William Perry, 50, of Santa Monica. He was not eligible for bail.
Thursday, Sept. 10, at 12:51 p.m.,
An employee with the Santa Monica Police Department was riding his bicycle in Parking Structure 1 in the 1200 block of Fourth Street when they observed a man attempting to open a locked car door. When the suspect saw the employee, he allegedly attempted to flee. The suspect was later detained and identified. He was placed under arrest for attempted auto burglary. He was identified as Hugh Patillo, 39, a transient. His bail was set at $20,501.
Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 11:33 a.m.,
Officers responded to corner of 17th and Pearl streets regarding an assault. When officers arrived, they made contact with a resident who said that an ex-roommate came up from behind him and struck him in the head. When the victim fell to the ground, the suspect continued to strike him in the head and kick him in the torso, police said. A second suspect arrived and assisted the first by holding the victim down. The first suspect then allegedly slammed the victim’s head into the sidewalk, causing a large laceration. The suspects fled when a bystander yelled to leave the victim alone. The suspects were located a short distance away and positively identified by the victim. The suspect were placed under arrest for assault with the intent to commit great bodily injury. They were identified as Michael Butler, 21, and Robert Armstrong, 24, both of Los Angeles. Their bail was set at $30,000.
