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On Tuesday, May 9, at 2:15 a.m., Santa Monica Police officers responded to the 1500 block of Lincoln Boulevard — Denny’s — regarding a man who was allegedly harassing customers and eating their food. When officers arrived, they spoke with an employee who said the man had been asked to leave, but refused. Police said the employee desired prosecution, so officers arrested the suspect and transported him to the Santa Monica Jail, where he was booked for trespassing. He was identified as Merlin Coleman, 49, a transient.
On Monday, May 8, at 1:35 p.m., police officers in the 600 block of Ocean Park Boulevard noticed a homeless man with large amounts of trash and debris in a shopping cart. Officers approached the man and determined that the shopping cart was stolen from a local store, and that the suspect was in violation of the municipal code, police said. The suspect was arrested and booked for the misappropriation of property and for violating terms of his probation. He was identified as Patrick Thomas Walsh, 57, a transient. His bail was set at $10,000.
On Wednesday, May 10, at 5:22 a.m., an officer patrolling the 1700 block of Ocean Front walk noticed a man sitting on a bench. When the officer drove past, he asked the man how we was doing. Police said the man responded by yelling, and threw his wallet at the officer, striking him in the face. The officer detained the man, who was later booked for assault and battery on a peace officer. He was identified as Brent Ellis Petersen, 33, a transient. His bail was set at $45,000, including $25,000 for a felony warrant, police said.
On Saturday, May 6, at 11:57 p.m., police officers responded to the 1300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard regarding a report of a strong-arm robbery. When officers arrived, they spoke with an alleged victim who said he was assaulted earlier in the day by two men. He said the suspects approached him and began to punch him in the face and beat him. While attempting to escape, the alleged victim said the suspects tore off his sweatshirt. He sustained a cut to his arm and a fractured clavicle, police said. The alleged victim gave a description of the suspects before being transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. The next day, while patrolling in the 2800 block of Pico Boulevard, officers located the suspects and took them into custody. One was identified as Antonio Tapia, 24, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $50,000. The other suspect was a juvenile, 16, of Los Angeles. No bail was set.
On Wednesday, May 10, at 7:54 p.m., officers responded to the 1300 block of the Third Street Promenade regarding a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. When officers arrived, they spoke with a man who said he was sitting on a bench when another man approached in a wheelchair demanding money. The man in the wheelchair said the other owed him money. The man on the bench said he didn’t have money, and a fight ensued, with the man in the wheelchair pulling out a 10-inch knife, police said. The man on the bench was able to get away unharmed. The next day officers were able to locate the alleged attacker in the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade. He was placed under arrest and booked for assault with a deadly weapon. He was identified as William Montgomery, 47, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
On Thursday, May 11, at 9:17 p.m., police officers responded to the 300 block of the Santa Monica Pier regarding an assault investigation. When they arrived, officers saw three suspects walking quickly away from another man, who was lying on the ground, police said. The officers detained the subjects and during their investigation learned that the three men had approached the alleged victim and struck him repeatedly. During the fight, police said the three men stole the man’s wallet. The tree suspects were arrested and booked for strong-arm robbery. The first suspect is identified as James Earl Sheppard, 19, of Los Angles. No bail was set due to a probation violation. Suspect two was identified as Jerry Rubin Burke, 20, of Los Angeles. No bail was set due to a probation violation. The third suspect was identified as Devin Dupree Glapion, 20, of Inglewood. No bail was set.
On Sunday, April 30, at 1:30 p.m., police responded to the 700 block of Arizona Avenue regarding an assault investigation. When they arrived, they spoke with a woman who said while she was seated, another woman approached her and for some unknown reason, tossed three stacks of books and pins at the woman and then fled. The suspect was later apprehended on Sunday, May 14, at 8:25 a.m., on the corner of 14th Street and Wilshire Boulevard. She was booked for assault. She was identified as Dazey Dazey, 37, a transient. Her bail was set at $30,500.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 19, 2006. Read the original PDF.