By Daily Press staff
On Tuesday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m., Santa Monica Police on the 200 block of Broadway saw an individual sitting on a milk crate, a violation of an ordinance that prohibits sitting on objects in the Bayside District. Officers issued a citation and the subject, later identified as Robert Leonard, 51, a transient, refused to sign the ticket. He was transported to jail where he was held until the following morning, when he was allowed to go before the court. His bail was set at $500.
On Friday, March 10 at 3:45 a.m., Santa Monica Police officers responded to the 3300 block of California Avenue regarding the sexual assault of a homeless woman. When officers arrived, they spoke with the victim who said she had spent the day with an acquaintance, at which time she told him where she was sleeping at night. The man went to the location and allegedly raped her. The victim said he fled after the assault. He was spotted a short time later in the 1100 block of Lincoln Boulevard and transported to jail, where he was booked for sexual assault. The alleged assailant was identified as Peter Stempien, 37, a resident of Redondo Beach. His bail was set at $100,000.
On March 1, at 12:25 p.m., police responded to the Santa Monica Pier after receiving a report of grand theft at a local business. When officers arrived, the store manager said an employee stole money from that day’s receipts in the amount of $539. The employee was arrested on Wednesday, March 15, at the store when he showed up for work. He was identified as Troy Hill, 20, a resident of Santa Monica. He was booked for grand theft. His bail was set at $50,250, because the suspect had an outstanding warrant, police said.
On Saturday, March 11 at 3:48 a.m., Santa Monica Police responded to the 1700 block of Michigan Avenue regarding a man with a gun. When officers arrived, they spoke with a woman who said two men were outside her window trying to steal her bike. When she peered out to see what they were doing, she said one suspect pulled out a handgun and pointed it at her. Officers conducted a search of the area and located two men matching the description given by the witness. The officers ordered the men to place their hands over their heads, at which time officers said one suspect told them not to shoot and that he had a gun tucked in his waistband. The weapon was recovered and the two men were placed under arrest. After being identified by the witness, the two were booked for assault with a deadly weapon. The two were identified Gil Verastegui and Douglas Clark Mercer, 30, of Culver City. No further information was provided for the Verastegui. Their bail was set at $30,000.
On Monday, March 13 at 12:40 p.m., officers were called to the corner of Lincoln and Ocean Park boulevards regarding a possible rape in progress. When they arrived, they spoke with a women who said she was assaulted three days earlier by a man who was now in a parking lot nearby. She directed officers to the suspect, who was seated in a silver, four-door sedan, allegedly waiting for the women to arrive. She said that on March 10, she and a friend accepted a ride from the suspect after having lunch with him. On the way home, the woman said the man raped her. Following the assault, she said he dropped her off at home. The victim said the suspect called her March 13 looking to meet again. She arranged a time and called police. The suspect was arrested and booked for sexual assault. He was identified as Christopher Coleman, 39, of Culver City. His bail was set at $100,000.
On Monday, March 13 at 8:30 a.m., officers responded to 15th Street and Arizona Avenue after receiving reports that a man in a wheelchair was masturbating in public. When officers arrived, they said they saw the man on the corner pleasuring himself. He was arrested and booked for indecent exposure. He was identified as Mauricio Pinilla Dellavale, 35, a transient. His bail was set at $1,000.
On Saturday, March 18 at 11:15 p.m., police saw a man riding a bicycle on the sidewalk of Lincoln Boulevard at Ashland Avenue, a violation of city law. Officers stopped the man and during a search found crack. The man was arrested and booked for possession of a controlled substance. He was identified as Michael Wayne Murray, 53, of Santa Monica. There was no bail set.
On Thursday, March 9 at 9:25 p.m., officers responded to the 2200 block of 22nd Street after receiving a call regarding a burglary in progress. Before officers could arrive, they received another call about a suspicious man trying to gain entry to a residence on the 2100 block of 21st Street. When officers arrived at that location, they used a canine to locate the suspect, identified as Ryan Madden, 19, of Calabasas. He was identified by witnesses. He was booked for burglary and a probation violation. No bail was set.
On Saturday, March 18 1:55 p.m., undercover detectives responded to the 1000 block of Pico Boulevard regarding anonymous tips of prostitution at the location. An officer paid $50 and was taken to a massage room where he was allegedly asked if he wanted to engage in sex for an additional fee. At that time the officer called for backup and the masseuse was arrested and booked for prostitution. She was identified as Yanxia Zhao, 42, of Los Angeles. Her bail was set at $2,000.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 24, 2006. Read the original PDF.