Money no object for hotel guest
By
At 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31, the Santa Monica police responded to Doubletree Hotel on the 1700 block of Fourth Street regarding an investigation involving the defrauding of an innkeeper. When officers arrived to the scene, they spoke to the employee, who said the suspect had paid for the room with two checks that had been returned because the account was closed. The suspect had stayed at the hotel for a month, with a total tab of $5,837. Mark Louis St. Juste, 37, from Los Angeles, was arrested for defrauding an innkeeper and transported to Santa Monica Jail. No bail was set.
At 2:02 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 29, the Santa Monica police responded to the 2400 block of Colorado regarding a theft investigation. When officers arrived to the scene, they contacted the employee, who said the suspect they were detaining had attempted to take a laptop computer from the business when confronted by the employee. John Anthony Bottini, 50, from Los Angeles, was arrested for commercial burglary and grand theft. Bail was set at $20,000.
At 12:25 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, the Santa Monica police responded to the 1800 block of 11th Street regarding a prowling suspect. When officers arrived to the scene, they contacted the resident, who said that they were watching television when they heard noises coming from the entrance to their apartment. When they looked, they saw the suspect standing at the door. After a brief conversation, the suspect left. Police officers stopped the suspect on Lincoln Boulevard and Michigan Avenue. A field show up was conducted. Daniel Arroyo Martinez, 20, from Arleta, was arrested for prowling and probation violation. Bail was set at $20,000.
At 6:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, the Santa Monica police responded to a church on the 1200 block of Fourth Street regarding a theft investigation. When officers arrived to the scene, they spoke to the employee, who said he heard noises coming from the kitchen on the first floor. As he walked to the kitchen area, he saw the suspect leaving through the door. The witness asked the suspect to stop. The suspect fled, and the witness chased the suspect. When the suspect arrived onto Fourth Street, a police employee was driving by and detained him. A preliminary investigation indicates the suspect had broken into the church and stolen items from the kitchen. The items were recovered. Willard Davis Thomas, 49, transient, was arrested for burglary and probation violation. Bail was set at $20,000.
At 3:20 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1, the Santa Monica police responded to the 1100 block of Sixth Street regarding a burglary. When officers arrived to the scene, they spoke to the resident, who said that while she was in her bedroom, she heard her dog barking and noise in the living room and steps leading away from the apartment and down the hall. When she looked in the living room, she saw the balcony sliding glass door was open. No items were taken. No arrests were made.
This police report was prepared by Daily Press staff writer Ryan Hyatt.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 9, 2005. Read the original PDF.