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.
By Daily Press Staff
Saturday, Aug. 2, at 11:26 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the 1500 block of the beach regarding a report of an attempted kidnapping that just occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with the father of the alleged victim who said his family was hanging out at the beach when two suspects approached his 13-year-old daughter and tried to pull her away. The father said he confronted the suspects and pushed one away from his daughter. One of the suspects then punched the dad and threatened him before fleeing when the father called police. Officers located the suspects as they were attempting to drive out of the beach parking lot. The suspects were positively identified by the family and arrested for kidnapping and for making terrorist threats. The suspects were identified as Felipe Gomez Perez, 22, of Los Angeles, who was booked for battery and two narcotics warrants; and Adrian Karalam, 22, of Los Angeles. No bail was set for Perez. Bail for Karalam was set at $100,000, police said.
Monday, July 28, at 6:55 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1400 block of the Third Street Promenade regarding a report of vandalism. When officers arrived they made contact with a maintenance worker who said they saw a man rip decorative lighting from a tree on the promenade, causing damage to the lights and wiring. Armed with a description of the suspect, officers located him a couple of blocks away. The suspect was positively identified and arrested for vandalism and violation of probation. The suspect was identified as Michael Anthony Baker, 45, a transient. His bail was set at $10,000.
Tuesday, July 29, at 5:30 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade — the Apple Store — regarding a theft suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security guards who said the suspect used a knife to cut a cord attached to a 16 gigabyte iPhone and then tried to run out of the store with the item, which was valued at $500. Security detained the suspect and officers placed him under arrest for commercial burglary. The suspect was identified as Shawn Anthony Ghan, 18, a transient. His bail was set at $20,000.
Ghan was also booked for robbery in connection with a separate incident in which a woman was robbed at knifepoint, police said. The alleged crime occurred on Feb. 27 in the 100 block of Washington Avenue. Officers said the victim was walking when Ghan approached with a knife and demanded her purse and iPhone. Officers found the purse a few blocks away and were able to lift prints and identify Ghan.
Tuesday, July 29, at 4 p.m.,
Officers responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon that occurred in the 2600 block of Main Street. When officers arrived they spoke with the alleged victim who said they were walking along the street when the suspect, who was sitting on the ground, tried to slash them with a pocket knife. The suspect missed the victim’s right leg. The victim called police and the suspect was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. The pocket knife was recovered, police said. The suspect was identified as Lee Travis Belcher, 45, a transient. His bail was set at $30,000.
Saturday, Aug. 2, at 3:07 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 800 block of Michigan Avenue regarding a report of a man laying on the sidewalk who appeared to be intoxicated. When officers arrived, they discovered the person was in possession of methamphetamine and stolen debit cards. He was arrested for public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property, as well as being in violation of probation. The suspect was identified as Jose Umberto de la Rosa, 42, of North Hollywood. His bail was set at $20,000.
Thursday, July 31, at 10:52 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1500 block of Lincoln Boulevard — Denny’s — regarding a report of a suspect who failed to pay his bill. When officers arrived, they made contact with a waiter who said the suspect ordered and ate $20.31 worth of food and then tried to pay with a credit card that was declined. The suspect said he did not have any cash to pay for his meal. The waiter said the suspect did this once before but the incident was not reported to police. The suspect was arrested for defrauding an innkeeper and for violation of probation. He was identified as George Patrick Carroll, 33, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $10,000.
Thursday, July 31, at 8:40 p.m.,
Police responded to the 500 block of Seventh Street regarding a report of someone on the roof of a building yelling threats at those walking along the sidewalk. When officers arrived they noticed a man standing near the second-story window waving his arms and talking loudly. When the man saw the officers he came outside of his home. Officers went inside the home to make sure no one was injured inside. During a search of the apartment they found cocaine in plain sight on a desk. The drugs were confiscated and the suspect was placed under arrest for possession and being under the influence of a controlled substance. The suspect was identified as Lawson Michael Desrochers, 40, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $10,000.
Wednesday, July 30, at 7:50 a.m.,
Police responded to the 2400 block of Delaware Avenue regarding a fight between two men who were working off community service hours. When officers arrived, they made contact with the alleged victim who said he and another man got into an argument and the man grabbed a rake and tried to strike him. The suspect was gone when police arrived. Officers tracked him down and arrested him for assault with a deadly weapon and for violation of his parole. The suspect was identified as Daniel Jankowski, 20, of Los Angeles. No bail was set.
Editor in Chief Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 8, 2008. Read the original PDF.