90-year-old busted for sneaking a peak
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On Sunday, April 9 at 1:25 p.m., Santa Monica Police officers responded to the 1400 block of the Third Street Promenade — Urban Outfitters — regarding a possible juvenile annoyance investigation. When officers arrived, they spoke with an employee at the store who said he saw a 90-year-old man use his reflective sunglasses to look underneath the dress of a female shopper, who was bending over to look at some items for sale. The elderly man noticed he was spotted and tried to run away, but was detained by store security. He was held until police arrived, at which time he was taken into custody and booked at the Santa Monica Jail for child annoyance. The alleged victim was 17. Police identified the man as Virgil Thomas Richards. Police said Richards is a registered sex offender.
On Friday, April 14 at 4:45 p.m., police patrolling the beach parking lot just north of the Santa Monica Pier were approached by a female who said her boyfriend had physically assaulted her and was inside a camper parked nearby. She also said her boyfriend was attempting to make a bomb. A portion of the parking lot was evacuated and the suspect was eventually asked to step outside his vehicle. He did and was taken into custody. Once detained, members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad entered the suspect’s camper and determined that the suspect was making a low-level explosive device, which was rendered safe, police said. The suspect was booked for domestic violence, false imprisonment and the manufacturing of a destructive device. He was identified as Donald Joseph Brower, 49.
On Monday, April 10 at 12:35 a.m., police officers stopped two individuals in the 1100 block of Palisades Beach Road for violating a city law that prohibits smoking on the beach. As officers approached the two, they saw two baggies containing a white, crystallized substance that was later identified as methamphetamine, police said. The two suspects were taken into custody and booked for possession of a controlled substance and possession of a smoking pipe. The two were identified as Elizabeth Louise Routenberg, 23, and Daniel Damato, 38.
On Monday, April 10 at 4 p.m., officers on beach patrol said they saw a group of five men on lifeguard tower No. 12 spray painting and marking the tower. Officers took the alleged vandals into custody. Four of the suspects were juveniles and were released to their parents. The fifth suspect was identified as Larry Antoine Paxton, 20. He was booked for felony malicious mischief. Los Angeles County Lifeguards were notified.
On Wednesday, April 12 at 5:05 p.m., undercover officers with SMPD’s vice unit conducted a sting operation in the 2600 block of Santa Monica Boulevard — Mimiko’s Massage — after receiving tips about prostitution at the location. An undercover officer went inside the business, requested a massage and was taken into a massage room where he was greeted by a masseuse. Police said after a brief massage, the masseuse asked if he wanted sexual services for additional money. They agreed upon a price, at which time the officer gave a predetermined signal to other officers, who entered and placed the female masseuse under arrest for prostitution. A second masseuse also was arrested when officers entered her room and saw a client nude, which is in violation of the municipal code that prohibits genitals from being exposed during a massage. The two booked for prostitution were identified as Hee Kyeong Yi, 42, and Jung Hi Park, 59.
On Wednesday, April 12 at 5 p.m., police responded to the 1400 block of Montana Avenue — Wild Oats — regarding a report of grand theft. When officers arrived, they spoke with a manager at the store who said officials with Wild Oats had conducted an audit and determined that a service manager at the Montana store had been issuing gift cards in her name and then returning them for cash refunds. It was estimated that over a 12-month period, the service manager issued $10,700 in gift cards. The employee was taken into custody by police and booked for grand theft. She was identified as Amy Jo Kozlow, 44.
On Saturday, April 15 at 12:30 p.m., police responded to the 1300 block of Third Street Promenade — Old Navy — regarding a possible theft investigation. When officers arrived, they spoke to a security officer who reported that a female entered the store, removed a package of underwear and removed three pairs. Old Navy employees said they saw her place the underwear in her purse and leave the store, failing to pay for them. Once outside the store, store security detained her. She was later released to police, and was booked for petty theft. She was identified as Zamika Montoya King, 19. The items allegedly stolen were valued at $9. (Editor’s note: Bail amounts and the place of residence for each incident were not available for this report.)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 21, 2006. Read the original PDF.