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# Attack of the purse snatchers
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/attack-of-the-purse-snatchers/
- Published: 2008-01-11T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T22:58:53.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By By Daily Press Staff*

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, Jan. 5, at 7:15 p.m.

Santa Monica police officers received a call regarding a strong arm robbery that had just occurred in the 500 block of Alley Seven. The victim told police that she was waiting in the alley to pick up a friend when she was approached by two men who demanded her purse. When the victim refused, the men allegedly grabbed the purse and jumped into a four-door Honda and sped off. The victim and her friend called police and gave a description of the vehicle and the two suspects to officers. Officers on patrol spotted the car driving eastbound on Interstate 10\. Officers conducted a traffic stop and found the victim’s purse in the car, police said. Officers placed the suspects under arrest, as well as three passengers in the car, two of which were juveniles. Officers said the Marc Jacobs purse contained a Louis Vuitton wallet with $165 inside. The purse also contained a camera and makeup bag. The adults arrested were identified as Luis Miguel Carrera, 20, from Los Angeles; Domingo Alexander Alvarado, 27, from Culver City; and Luis Antonio Catalan, 21, also from Culver City. Bail was set at $50,000 for Carrera and Catalan, who were booked for robbery. Bail for Alvarado was set at $65,000\. He had an outstanding warrant. Alvarado was also charged with robbery, police said.

Saturday, Jan. 5, at 6:10 p.m.

Officers responded to the 1900 block of 11th Street regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. When officers arrived, they spoke with the alleged victim who said he was drinking alcohol with a friend when the friend, for an unknown reason, began to hit him in the face with a metal object. The suspect also kicked the victim several times in the upper torso, police said. The suspect was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. The victim refused medical treatment. The suspect was identified as Phillipe Quinones, 39, from Santa Monica. His bail was set at $70,000\. He had outstanding warrants, police said.

CAC,

Friday, Jan. 4, at 4:30 p.m.

Police responded to the 2900 block of Pico Boulevard — 99¢ Only Store — regarding a burglary that just occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said an employee was processing fake returns and pocketing the money. Security said the employee made $185 in bogus returns. The employee was arrested for burglary and embezzlement. He was identified as Edgar Vasquez Gonzales, 19, from Los Angeles. His bail was set at $20,000.

Monday, Dec. 31, at 7:30 p.m.

Police responded to the 1300 block of Fourth Street, Parking Structure No. 3, regarding an auto burglary that just occurred. Officers said they were contacted by a witness who was walking past the parking garage when he noticed a man walking in between parked cars, randomly trying to open the doors. The witness told police that the suspect gained access to one car and removed what looked like a purse. The witness gave a description of the suspect to officers. The suspect was arrested a block away and identified by the witness. The owner of the car identified the purse that was recovered as hers, police said. The suspect was placed under arrest for burglary. He was identified as Hugh Vernon Patillo, 38, a transient. His bail was set at $20,000.

Sunday, Dec. 30 at 2:55 p.m.

Officers responded to the corner of Cloverfield Boulevard and Colorado Avenue regarding an assault with a deadly weapon that had just occurred. When officers arrived, they spoke with the alleged victim who said she was lying down on a bench at the corner of 26th Street and Olympic Boulevard when a male acquaintance began to strike her repeatedly with his fists. A taxi driver was passing by and opened up a car door long enough for the victim to jump in. The cab driver drove a few blocks and then called police. Armed with a description of the suspect, officers were able to locate him a few blocks away and placed him under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon. The victim was treated by paramedics at the scene and she was transported to a local hospital for further observation. The suspect was identified as Michael Bruce Riblet, 51, a transient. His bail was set at $30,500\. The suspect had outstanding warrants, police said.

Friday, Dec. 28, at 5:30 p.m.

Officers responded to the 1400 block of Third Street — Urban Outfitters — regarding a shoplifting suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security, who said the suspect walked into the store, took several items of clothing into a changing room and then tried to return the items as if she had purchased them. Employees noticed the items were damaged, as if someone had tried to remove sensors and had cut the fabric. Employees refused to accept the items. The suspect then allegedly walked around the store and purchased $200 worth of items. She also placed two purses in a bag and walked out of the store, failing to pay for them. That set off an alarm. Store security detained the suspect and recovered the purses as well as other items valued at $150\. The suspect was arrested for shoplifting. She was identified as Kaitlin Ashley Pynes, 18, from Los Angeles. Bail was set at $1,000.

Editor in Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 11, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/011108.pdf?ref=smdp.com)