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# Santa Monica police arrest knife suspect and two men in May assault cases
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/crime-watch-20050520/
- Published: 2005-05-20T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T00:04:25.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Pacific Palisades, #archive-import

*By*

At 8:30 a.m. on May 9, the Santa Monica Police responded to the 900 block of Palisades Park regarding a subject in the restroom with a knife. When officers arrived to the scene, they identified the suspect and detained him. During the investigation, the officers recovered a knife and learned the suspect had an outstanding warrant for $30,000\. Benjamin Miguel Lewis, 22, a transient, was arrested for possession of a knife or dagger and the outstanding warrant. Bail was set at $55,000.

At 5:05 p.m. on May 10, the Santa Monica Police responded to the 800 block of Grant regarding an assault and battery investigation. When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to the victim, who said he was involved in a fight with the suspect and during the fight the suspect struck him in the face. The victim was desirous of prosecution, and the suspect, Arvin Jay Chiong, male, 29, of West Covina, was placed under arrest for assault and battery. Bail was set for $20,000.

At 4:20 a.m. on May 11, the Santa Monica Police responded to Euclid and Olympic regarding a subject bleeding from the head who was struck with a stick. When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to the victim, who said he was walking on the sidewalk and the suspect approached him and for an unknown reason struck him on the head with a stick. Responding officers stopped the subject matching the description at 12th and Olympic. A field show up was conducted, and the suspect was positively identified. The victim was taken to a local hospital. Tyrone William Pates, 35, a transient, was booked for assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats. Bail was set at $50,000.

At 9:25 a.m. on May 11, the Santa Monica Police responded to the 2000 block of Lincoln Boulevard regarding an assault investigation. When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to the victim, who said he was involved in an argument with two suspects and that during the argument one suspect pointed a flare gun. The suspects fled, and when officers arrived, one suspect was located and the second one fled. Witnesses directed officers to the location of the flare gun, which was recovered, and the suspect was arrested. Glenn Joseph Richards, 27, a transient, was arrested for parole violation. No bail was set. The man who is believed to have pointed the gun is described as a white male in his 30s, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing 140 to 160 pounds, with blond hair and a medium complexion. He was wearing a black, short-sleeved shirt with blue flowers and black pants.

At 8:50 p.m. on May 13, the Santa Monica Police responded to the 2600 block of 32nd Street regarding an elder-abuse investigation. When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to several witnesses who said they had seen a white 84-year-old victim with bruises around her neck and eye. Officers spoke to a friend of the victim who was staying in the residence with her who claimed he was not aware how she received the injuries. Officers spoke to the victim and after completing their investigation placed the roomate/friend under arrest. Rory Paul Rael, 48, was booked for elder abuse. Bail was set at $50, 000.

At 2:51 a.m. on May 14, the Santa Monica Police responded to the 1500 block of Pacific Coast Highway in the parking lot regarding a malicious mischief investigation. When officers arrived at the scene, they saw a group of 10 subjects standing around several vehicles and, while conducting an investigation, saw brass knuckles in the rear portion of the vehicle. Francisco Samuel Zepeda, 18, of Los Angeles, was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 20, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/052005.pdf?ref=smdp.com)