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.
Sunday, Sept. 19, at 4:36 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the 2200 block of Wilshire Boulevard (Whole Foods) regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. When officers arrived, they were advised by security that the suspect entered the business, grabbed a bell pepper and then tried to leave without paying. When confronted by security, the suspect allegedly attacked a guard with a sock that contained rocks. The suspect fled. Officers located the suspect a short distance away. The suspect, Eric Madden, 35, a transient, was booked for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and manufacturing a dangerous weapon. His bail was set at $50,000.
Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 8:40 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 600 block of Wilshire Boulevard (7-Eleven) regarding an intoxicated person waving a stick around. When officers arrived, they saw the suspect doing “karate” moves in front of the business. The suspect appeared to be intoxicated and was yelling at a homeless person. Officers approached the suspect and placed him under arrest for public intoxication. He was identified as Vaughn Maher, 45, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $250.
Thursday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m.,
Officers were on routine patrol in the area near Olympic High School when they saw a vehicle parked in the alley behind the school. As officers approached the vehicle, three of the four occupants got out of the car. Officers interviewed the four and learned that the driver was not a student at the school. He was allegedly in possession of hash brownies, liquid cannabis, marijuana, a scale and garden shears. One of the suspects who exited the vehicle was allegedly in possession of marijuana. The two suspects, John Sanchez, 18, of Santa Monica and a 17-year-old juvenile, were arrested. Sanchez was booked for possession of pot for sale, possession of concentrated cannabis, possession of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana, possession of burglary tools and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The juvenile was booked for possession of pot in a vehicle. He was released to his mother. Sanchez’ bail was set at $20,000.
Friday, Sept. 17, at 11:47 a.m.,
Officers were flagged down by an employee of Jack-in-the-Box, located in the 2000 block of Lincoln Boulevard, regarding a drunk person making a scene at the fast food joint. When officers made contact with the suspect they determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance, which was later determined to be an opiate. The suspect was also allegedly in possession of a hypodermic needle. The suspect was arrested and booked for being under the influence, possession of a hypodermic needle and for a probation violation. He was identified as Alex Saltzman, 33, of Pacific Palisades. His bail was set at $10,000.
Friday, Sept. 17, at 6:50 p.m.,
Officers were working a DUI enforcement operation when they saw a vehicle make a turn from Beverly Avenue onto eastbound Ocean Park Boulevard in violation of a posted sign. Officers conducted a traffic stop near Lincoln Boulevard and Ocean Park. Upon contacting the driver, officers said they could smell the strong odor of alcohol emitting from her breath. Officers believed she was possibly driving while impaired and had her exit the vehicle and perform a series of balance and coordination tests. Upon completion of the tests, officers believed the victim had been driving while under the influence and placed her under arrest. She was identified as Joan Gallagher, 55, of Santa Monica. Her bail was set at $5,000.
Saturday, Sept. 18, at 9:11 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 300 block of Colorado Avenue (Sears) regarding a robbery. As officers were responding, they were advised that the suspect simulated a weapon to escape. Officers contacted store security who stated that suspect picked up a watch and left the store without paying. When confronted by security, the suspect allegedly reached behind his back and said, “Back up you don’t want this. You don’t want the 22.” The suspect then fled the location. Officers located the suspect and watch a short distance away. The suspect, Robert Griffin, 33, who refused to state his residence, was booked for robbery, petty theft with a prior, possession of marijuana and a warrant. His bail was set at $80,000.
Saturday, Sept. 18, at 4 p.m.
Officers responded to the 2600 block of Lincoln Boulevard (Vision Works Optometry) regarding a theft suspect from earlier in the week who was back in the area. When officers arrived, they made contact with employees who told the officers that the suspect entered the business on Sept. 15 and stole a $402 pair of Prada glasses. The suspect was on surveillance video taking the items, police said. Officers located the suspect a short distance away. The suspect made spontaneous statements that he did not have any glasses and did not go into Vision Works. Officers arrested the suspect, Saul Vesecky, 51, a transient, for burglary and warrants. His bail was set at $20,250.
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Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
