Officers’ hands full with transients
By
On Wednesday, April 19 at 8:17 a.m., Santa Monica Police officers responded to the 2000 block of Ocean Avenue regarding a subject with an open alcoholic container. While officers were questioning the man, they were approached by a woman who said the man had robbed her roughly 12 hours earlier. She said when she refused to give the man money, he punched her in the face and reached into her pocket and removed money. After hearing this, officers arrested the man for strongarm robbery. He was identified as Jeffrey Kevin Cervantez, 40, a transient. No bail was set because of a probation violation.
On Wednesday, April 19 at 5:05 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Santa Monica Boulevard — Ye Olde King’s Head Pub — regarding a report of vandalism. When officers arrived, they contacted the person who made the report, who said she saw a man hitting a window at the pub with his fist until it eventually broke. There was no information available on the price of the window. Officers detained the man a short time later and he was booked for vandalism. He was identified as Michael Anthony Baker, 43, a transient. His bail was set at $1,250.
On Thursday, April 20 at 1:56 p.m., police responded to the 1400 block of Court 10 regarding a burglary in progress. When officers arrived, they contacted the reporting party who said they saw a man break the window of the front passenger side of a vehicle in an attempt to gain entry. The suspect did not make entry and left the scene, police said. He was arrested a short time later, about a block away from the scene of the alleged crime. He was identified as Zachary Hill, 45, transient. He was booked for attempted burglary, and bail was set at $20,000.
On Thursday, April 20 at 7:53 p.m., police responded to the corner of Neilson Way and Pico Boulevard regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. When officers arrived, they spoke with a witness who said they saw a man striking a woman and then drug her down the sidewalk. The suspect then walked away. The victim was last seen walking away as well. Officers located the suspect, but were unable to locate the alleged victim, police said. The suspect was taken into custody and booked for assault with a deadly weapon. He was identified as Peter Michael Tansey, 38, transient.
On Monday, April 17 at 9:25 p.m., officers responded to the 2500 block of Lincoln Boulevard — Denny’s restaurant — regarding two suspects who left the eatery without paying for their meals. When officers arrived, they spoke with an employee at the restaurant who said the two suspects entered the establishment, ordered $29.29 worth of food, ate and left without paying. The two were arrested a short distance away and booked for defrauding an innkeeper. The suspects were identified as Jamie Alize Bencomo, 18, of Santa Monica, and Jeremiah David Brockway, 20, of Marina del Rey. Their bail was set at $500 each.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 28, 2006. Read the original PDF.