Robber gets canned after early morning hold-up
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At 2:37 a.m. on June 5, the Santa Monica Police responded to the 1500 block of Ocean Avenue regarding an attempted robbery investigation. When officers arrived to the scene, they spoke to the victim, who said the suspect approached them, demanded money and simulated having a weapon, which turned out to be a can opener. The suspect attempted to rob the victim, who fled and notified the police. Genaro Hernandez Martinez, 23, a transient, was arrested within 10 minutes at the corner of Ocean and Colorado avenues. Bail was set at $50,000.
At 7:10 p.m. on June 4, the Santa Monica Police responded to the Santa Monica Pier Pacific Park regarding a counterfeit suspect in custody. When officers arrived to the scene, they spoke to the employee at Pacific Park who said that the suspect attempted to order food using a counterfeit $100 bill. The employees checked the currency with a currency authenticator and determined it was in fact a counterfeit bill. The employees were unable to detect the strip on the bill using ultra-violet light, and the picture of Ben Franklin which appears to be a hand-drawn picture under the white light did not appear. The suspect appeared to have several counterfeit bills on him. Andrew Lee Tyars, 27, of Los Angeles was arrested and bail was set at $27,000.
At 11 p.m. on June 3, the Santa Monica Police responded to the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade regarding a defrauding an innkeeper investigation. When officers arrived to the scene, they spoke to the employee, who said that the suspect entered the restaurant, ate his meal, and ordered several alcoholic beverages totaling $43.75. When asked for payment, the suspect said he did not have any money. Thomas Phillip Mitchell, 40, of Lake Arrowhead, who was on parole, was placed under arrest with no bail set.
At 3:51 p.m. on June 4, the Santa Monica Police responded to Fourth Street and Santa Monica Boulevard regarding a vandalism that just occurred. When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to a bus employee and a witness who said the suspect exited the bus, and as it was driving off, began pounding on the rear window, causing it to break. Essam Wasfy, 33, a transient, had several outstanding municipal code warrants and was placed under arrest with no bail set.
At 9:20 p.m. on June 4, Santa Monica Police vice officers went to the 2500 block of Wilshire Boulevard to conduct a massage parlor compliance check. When the undercover officers entered the location, they identified themselves as police officers, and while speaking to a person at the front desk, a female walked out of the room who was asked not to say anything. She began yelling loudly in Korean, which prevented officers from conducting their compliance check. Yoo Young Sun, 27 of Los Angeles, was arrested for obstructing an officer on duty. Bail was set at $10,000.
At 8:03 a.m. on June 5, the Santa Monica Police responded to Berkeley Street and Arizona Avenue regarding a suspicious vehicle. When officers arrived to the scene, they located the vehicle. As they spoke to the driver and the occupant, they recovered a glass pipe and a baggy containing a controlled substance. The driver, Darell David Greenage, 20, of Malibu, and the passenger, Joe Choi, 21 of Santa Monica, were both arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $10,000.
At 4:45 p.m. on June 6, the Santa Monica Police responded to the 600 block of Wilshire Boulevard regarding a theft investigation. When officers arrived to the scene, they spoke to the employee who said the suspect entered the store, concealed a bikini in her purse and left the store failing to pay for the item. When the employee confronted the suspect, the suspect pushed the employee in an attempt to escape. Kristen seltzer, 21, of Pacific Palisades, was booked for strong arm robbery. Her bail was set at $50,000. (This police report was prepared by Daily Press staff writer Ryan Hyatt.)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 21, 2005. Read the original PDF.