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, Oct. 3, at 10:35 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers were on routine patrol in the 100 block of Ocean Avenue when they saw a bike rider commit a vehicle code violation by running a stop sign. Officers stopped the cyclist in the 1100 block of Ocean Avenue. Officers made contact with the cyclist and recognized him from previous encounters. Officers said the man was known for being in possession of stolen bicycles. Officers asked the man where he got his bike. He said he purchased it from someone in Venice. He could not provide any more information so officers placed him under arrest for receiving stolen property. He was identified as James Humphrey, 49, a transient. His bail was set at $20,000.
Monday, Oct. 5, at 9 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2000 block of Virginia Avenue regarding a report of domestic violence. When officers arrived, they made contact with two individuals who said they were involved in an argument. A fight ensued where both people received injuries (the man had bite marks while the female had her hair pulled), police said. Apparently the two were former lovers who had become platonic roommates. The woman became upset over the man leaving for the evening to meet another woman, police said. Both were arrested for assault. A confidentiality form was signed, preventing the police from releasing the names of the suspects. The female was 20 years old and the man was 20. Both were from Santa Monica at the time of the arrest. The female’s bail was set at $50,000. The male’s was set at $20,000.
Wednesday, Oct. 10,
A Santa Monica College Police Department investigator was looking into a series of burglaries that were occurring in the men’s locker room. During the investigation, the detective contacted a local business to see if there was video of a suspect attempting to purchase items with a stolen credit card. The employee confirmed that there was a video of the suspect. On his way to pick up the video, the detective received a call from the employee who told him that the suspect was back in the store with another individual. The companion was allegedly trying to buy items with a credit card that was declined. The two were arrested when they left the store. Further investigation revealed that the suspects were trying to purchase items with a credit card that was reported stolen from the men’s locker room. One suspect, Juan Rodriguez, 23, of Huntington Park, was arrested for burglary and possession of burglary tools. The other, Gianny Galindo, 21, of Los Angeles, was arrested for burglary and possession of stolen property. Bail for each suspect was set at $20,000.
Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 9:58 p.m.,
Officers were patrolling the 2000 block of Interstate 10 when they observed a 1998 Mercedes being driven at a slow rate of speed. Officers conducted a traffic stop. After making contact with the driver, officers said they could smell alcohol. Officers conducted a field sobriety test and determined the driver was under the influence. The driver was arrested for DUI. She was identified as Vilma Castro, 52, of Pasadena. Her bail was set at $15,000.
Thursday, Oct. 8, at 6:15 p.m.,
Officers responded to the area of Lincoln and Olympic boulevards regarding a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. When officers arrived, they made contact with the alleged victim who was suffering from wounds from a knife attack. Further investigation revealed that the victim was actually the suspect. Apparently the suspect initially assaulted the victim with the knife by stabbing him in the chest and arm. The victim took the knife away and stabbed the suspect. The suspect and victim were separated by a witness. The suspect and victim fled in opposite directions. The suspect, Aaron Jernigan, 42, a transient, was booked for attempted murder. No bail was set. No information was provided on the injuries sustained by both parties.
Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 4:06 a.m.,
Officers responded to a valet on Pico Boulevard at Shutters on the Beach regarding security chasing a burglary suspect. When officers arrived, they made contact with security who said a man jumped over a fence into a valet area and got inside two parked vehicles. Security confronted the suspect, who fled from the location. Further investigation revealed no loss from the vehicles. There had been only rummaging, police said. The suspect was detained a short distance away and placed under arrest for burglary and a parole violation. He was identified as Gerald Havansek, 37, a transient. He was not eligible for bail.
Editor-in-Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
