By Daily Press staff
■ Old Navy security officers thwarted two armed shoplifters Friday, October 4th, on the Third Street Promenade.
Security watched two females shoplift merchandise and exit the store. Security confronted the women outside, and one woman dropped her bag and ran. As security picked up the merchandise, the second woman pulled a knife.
A struggle broke out, and the woman dropped the knife and her merchandise and escaped.
Security recovered a bag with Old Navy merchandise and clothes from other stores. The weapon was also recovered.
The woman with the knife is described as a black female, 18 to 21 years old, five feet five inches tall, 130 pounds and was wearing a white cap.
The second woman is described as a black female, 18 to 20 years old, five feet four inches tall, 115 pounds and wearing a white hat and a long sleeve red shirt. ■ Michael Lane was arrested for armed robbery after holding up a friend on Tuesday, October 1.
The victim was a companion of Lane’s, and says he and Lane were drinking together. The victim fell asleep and woke up to Lane stealing his wallet.
The victim gave chase until Lane pulled out a box cutter, blade exposed, and threatened the victim.
The victim called Santa Monica police, who caught Lane near the 2000 block of Ocean Avenue.
Lane was arrested for armed robbery and a warrant, and his bail was set at $35,272.
Lane is a 39-year old, white male transient. ■ Roy Charles Fincher was arrested for armed robbery after pulling a gun in a store on 2400 Main St.
At around 6:50 p.m. on Monday, September 30, Fincher entered a Main Street store and pretended to shop. After a few minutes, he whipped out a handgun and demanded money from an employee. The employee and a shopper fled the store leaving Fincher alone.
When Fincher fled, a third witness followed him the 300 block of Colorado while talking to police on a cell phone.
Santa Monica police arrested Fincher and recovered the firearm allegedly used during the crime. He was booked for armed robbery, and his bail was set for $500,000.
Fincher is a 46-year old, white male transient. ■ Santa Monica High School authorities busted three juveniles for smoking marijuana.
At 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 1, school security caught a juvenile smoking on school property, and detained him until police arrived.
At 2:45 p.m. the same day, security grabbed two more smokers and again called police.
Santa Monica police responded to both instances by issuing a citation to the minors, and returning them to the custody of Santa Monica High.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 17, 2002. Read the original PDF.