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# Machete Assault on Lincoln Boulevard and Taxi Fight Lead Santa Monica Crime Report
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/crime-watch-20060106/
- Published: 2006-01-06T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T22:58:06.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Main St, #archive-import

*By*

At 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24, Santa Monica police responded to the 1700 block of Lincoln Boulevard regarding an assault investigation. When officers arrive at the scene, they spoke to the victim, who said he and the suspect got into an argument over the victim’s girlfriend and that during the argument the suspect produced a machete and struck the victim on the right thigh and shoulder, causing minor bruising. The victim did not require medical treatment and the suspect was gone upon the officers’ arrival. Approximately two hours later, officer were in the area of 500 the block of Pico Boulevard when they saw a man matching the suspect’s description. The subject was detained, a field show-up was conducted and the suspect was positively identified. Gaston James Burley, a transient, was placed under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon. Bail was set at $30,000.

At 12:13 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, a Santa Monica police officer was in the area of Ashland Avenue and Main Street when he saw a commotion between a pedestrian and a taxi driver. As the officer approached, he saw the pedestrian reach inside the taxi and hit the driver with his fist. The pedestrian was detained and a preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian became mad at the taxi driver and struck him for an unknown reason. The taxi driver did not require medical attention. However, he was desirous of prosecution. Steven Peter Smith, 24, of New York, was booked for assault and battery. Bail was set at $20,000.

At 12:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28, Santa Monica police responded to the 200 block of Wilshire Boulevard regarding a grand theft from a person. When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to the witness who said that he saw the suspect in a nearby bar steal an item from the victim’s coat, which had been placed on the bar stool. When the witness told the victim what happened, the victim realized an adapter device had been taken. The victim and the witness looked for the suspect. When entering the restroom, they saw the device on the floor. While officers were talking to the witness and victim, they saw the suspect in a parking lot. Christopher Frederick Carrico, 38, of Santa Monica, was placed under arrest for grand theft.

At 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, the Santa Monica police responded to the 2900 block of Santa Monica Boulevard regarding a burglary in progress. When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to the witness, who saw three or four suspects hop a fence and steal rims from a parked cars at the Major Motors car lot. Officers searched the location and one found a loaded firearm between two vehicles and later saw three suspects stealing the property. Davit Ksachikyan, 21, of North Hollywood, Gevork George Arakelyan, 23, of Van Nuys, Daniel Patrick Cosgrove, 38, of Santa Monica, were arrested for burglary, receiving stolen property and being convicted felons in possession of a firearm. Bail was not set due to parole violations on all of them.

This police report was prepared by Daily Press staff writer Ryan Hyatt.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 6, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/010606.pdf?ref=smdp.com)