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At 1:35 p.m. on May 20, the Santa Monica Police Department responded to the 1500 block of Ocean Avenue regarding a strong arm robbery. When officers arrived to the scene they spoke to the victim, who said he was picked up at the Los Angeles Convention Center by a driver who was purporting to be a taxi cab driver. When the victim got into the vehicle, described as a Lincoln Navigator, the suspect told the victim the trip to Santa Monica would cost $50. The victim said he was hesitant and suspicious because the vehicle did not have a taxi permit and was not yellow. When the victim arrived in Santa Monica he was asked to pay the $50 and when he removed his wallet to pay, the suspect attempted to grab his wallet. The victim was able to retain his wallet, but the suspect fled, taking his briefcase. A short time later, Edward Earl Rue, 60, male, of Hollywood, was booked for robbery. Bail was set at $100,000.
At 6 p.m. on May 19, the SMPD’s narcotic investigators were in the 2000 block of Pico Boulevard to serve a search warrant. While at the location, they saw a vehicle approach a male and conduct some type of transaction. After the vehicle drove away, officers followed the vehicle, and additional officers stopped the male who was involved in the transaction. During their interview, the male subject said he had just purchased some methamphetamine from the driver of the vehicle. Officers stopped the driver of the vehicle in the 2800 block of Ocean Park Boulevard. David Warren Chestra, 31, of Pacific Palisades, was arrested for the possession and sale of narcotics, parole violation and possession of a syringe. No bail was set.
At 11:06 a.m. on May 20, the SMPD responded to the 1900 block of Wilshire Boulevard regarding a theft investigation. When officers arrived to the scene, they spoke to a security officer who said he arrested a female employee for embezzlement. Apparently the employee was using customer receipts that were left behind and submitting them for refund. Loss is estimated at $205. Monica Michelle Gomez, 23, of Santa Monica was booked for petty theft. Bail was set at $1,000.
At 5:38 p.m. on May 20, the SMPD responded to the 1300 block of the Third Street Promenade regarding an embezzlement investigation. When officers arrived to the scene, they spoke to a security officer, who said he became suspicious of an employee when he noticed his cash register had money missing. The employee was watched via close circuit TV and was seen taking money form customers and placing it in a drawer, not a cash register. The employee was later seen taking the drawer containing the money and walking to a back room. When the employee was confronted by the security officer, he admitted to the theft and also indicated he had stolen on prior days totaling $600. Steven Molina, 22, of Reseda, was arrested and later transported to Santa Monica Jail where he was booked for embezzlement. Bail was set at $20,000.
This report was prepared by Daily Press staff writer Ryan Hyatt.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 27, 2005. Read the original PDF.