By By Daily Press Staff
Crime Watch is a weekly series culled from police 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, MARCH 2, AT 12:15 P.M., Santa Monica police officers responded to the 1100 block of Palisades Park after receiving a report about a man who was throwing rocks and bottles at vehicles parked along Ocean Avenue. When officers arrived, they made contact with the suspect, who was yelling and acting irrationally, police said. Officers were able to detain the suspect, who was still holding a bottle in his hand at the time of his arrest. Officers determined that the suspect hit at least three cars causing over $400 in damage. The suspect was arrested for malicious mischief/vandalism. He was identified as Sherome Purcell, 26, a transient. His bail was set at $23,422. The suspect had outstanding warrants, police said.
MONDAY, MARCH 3, AT 4 P.M., Officers responded to the 1300 block of the Third Street Promenade — Barney’s Beanery — regarding a report of suspicious people inside the bar who were allegedly overheard talking about a possible rape. When officers arrived they made contact with the suspects. During the investigation, officers determine that one suspect was under the influence of drugs while the other was under the influence of alcohol. Officers searched one suspect and found a syringe, while the other had some marijuana. That suspect was placed under arrest for being under the influence of alcohol and for possession of a narcotic while the other suspect was charged with being under the influence of a controlled substance and for possession of drug paraphernalia. The first suspect was identified as Jeffrey Alan Destefano, 53, a transient. His bail was set at $20,000. The second suspect was identified as Patricia Lee Newton, 41, also a transient. Her bail was set at $10,000.
MONDAY, MARCH 3, AT 12:24 P.M., Officers responded to the 1300 block of the Third Street Promenade after receiving a report about a man masturbating in public. When officers arrived they made contact with two alleged victims who said they were sitting down at the food court eating when they looked across the room and saw the suspect masturbating. Officers arrested the suspect for lewd conduct. He was identified as Reynald Elphage Chabot, 52, a transient. His bail was set at $500.
MONDAY, MARCH 3, AT 9:55 P.M., Police responded to the 1300 block of the Third Street Promenade — Famima — regarding a strong arm robbery that just occurred. When officers arrived, they spoke with store employees who said the suspect walked into the convenience store and started to place candy bars in his pocket. He then allegedly walked out of the store, failing to pay for the items. One employee called police while the other went after the suspect. Once outside the store, the suspect turned toward the employee and began throwing oranges at them employee. After he ran out of oranges, the suspect got into a fighting stance and then walked away. Officers detained him in the 1400 block of the promenade. He was arrested for strong arm robbery. He was identified as Ricky Smith Davis, 36, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, AT 10:45 A.M., Officers on routine patrol in the 1700 block of Hill Street noticed a man riding a bicycle who failed to stop at a stop sign. Officers recognized the man from prior contacts and decided to pull him over and interview him. It turned out that the man was on parole and in possession of a controlled substance — methamphetamine. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Officers said they also found small baggies that were empty in his waist band, indicating an intent to sell the drug. The suspect was identified as Bryant Kurtis Bracy, 44, a transient. No bail was set.
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, AT 1:50 P.M., Officers with the Special Enforcement section were on routine patrol on Lincoln Boulevard when they noticed a female walking up and down the busy thoroughfare waving at cars driving by. Suspicious, undercover officers approached the woman. They engaged in a conversation, at which point the woman asked the officers if they would like to have sex with her for money. The officers arrested the suspect for solicitation of prostitution. She was identified as Maggie Melba Conners, 18, of Los Angeles. Her bail was set at $2,000.
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, AT 4:38 P.M., Police responded to the 2900 block of Ocean Park Boulevard — Wells Fargo —regarding a forgery suspect on the premises. When officers arrived, they made contact with bank employees, who said they noticed the suspect from a previous encounter at another branch. Employees were informed of the suspect, who had cashed bogus checks at other branches. When a teller saw the suspect walk into the branch, they notified police, who placed him under arrest for an outstanding warrant in connection with forgery cases in Santa Monica and other areas. The car the suspect was driving was reported stolen from a rental car agency, police said. Inside the car officers found evidence linking him to a fake ID scam. The suspect was identified as Kevin James McGlory, 40. No bail was set.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 14, 2008. Read the original PDF.