Cops and robbers: Police on the lookout for thieves
By
On Monday, May 29, at 7:03 p.m., Santa Monica Police officers responded to the 200 block of Bay Street to investigate a reported home-invasion robbery. When officers arrived, they spoke with an alleged victim who said he was inside his home when two men appeared and robbed him, taking his cell phone and wallet. The estimated loss was $250, police said. The suspects were described as Hispanic males, ages 25 to 30, both 5 feet 10 inches tall and clean shaven with short hair. One suspect was described as having a heavy build and was wearing a light-blue T-shirt and jeans. The other suspect was said to be wearing a yellow T-shirt.
On Saturday, June 3, at 2:37 p.m., officers responded to the 1400 block of Second Street — 24 Hour Fitness — regarding a burglary investigation. When officers arrived, they spoke with employees who said that when they opened the gym that morning, they found no money in the cash register. There were no signs of forced entry, police said. An estimated $149 was missing, employees said. After reviewing footage from security cameras, officers saw a suspect enter through the front door of the gym using a key. He removed money from the cash register and left. The suspect is believed to be a white male, age unknown, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, 165 pounds. He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.
On Monday, June 5, at 11:32 p.m., police responded to the 1200 block of Second Street regarding a strong-arm robbery attempt. When officers arrived, they spoke with the alleged victim who said that while working as a valet parking attendant, he was approached by man a who asked him for money. The alleged victim told police he did-n’t have any money and that’s when the panhandler slapped him in the face and ran away. The aggressive panhandler is described as a white male, 35 to 36 years old, 5 foot, six inches tall, 180 pounds. He is said to be bald with blue eyes with a tattoo of a skull on his left shoulder, police said. He was wearing blue-Jean shorts, white T-shirt and white tennis shoes.
On Monday, June 12, at 12:08 p.m., police in the 1400 block of Third Street Promenade responded to a report of an assault. When officers arrived, they spoke with a woman who said she was standing on the promenade smoking a cigarette when a strange man approached her and asked if she would give him a smoke. The woman said she ignored the man’s request. He proceeded to walk away, but when he was approximately 10 feet away, the woman said he threw a cup of coffee at her. She was able to move out of the way and was not hit, police said. The woman called the police and the man fled. He was picked up a short time later at the corner of Third Street and Broadway, and identified by the woman as the attacker. He was arrested and booked for assault. He was identified as Raymond Webb, 53, a transient. His bail was set at $500.
On Sunday, June 11, at 1:48 a.m., officers responded to the 1300 block of 26th Street regarding a report of domestic violence. When officers arrived, they spoke with an alleged victim who said he was punched in the face by his ex-girlfriend during an argument that evening. The woman caused the alleged victim to bleed at the bridge of his nose, police said. The woman was taken into custody and booked for domestic violence. She was identified as Patricia Mori, 39, of Rolling Hills. Her bail was set at $100,000.
On Saturday, June 10, at 2:45 a.m., officers responded to the 300 block of Colorado Avenue regarding an assault investigation. When officers arrived, they spoke to a man who said that while riding his bike through a parking lot, another man appeared and punched him twice in the face. The man said he jumped off his bike, removed the bike’s metal chain and began swinging it at the alleged attacker, striking him once. Officers placed both suspects under arrest. The man riding the bike was identified as Carlos Moreno, 29, of Los Angeles. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon. His bail was set at $30,000. The man who allegedly punched Moreno was charged with assault and battery. He was identified as Eric Macias, 29, a transient. His bail was set at $20,000.
On Wednesday, June 7, at 9:34 p.m., officers responded to the 1300 block of Second Street after receiving calls about a man who looked like as if he was carrying a gun. When officers arrived in their patrol car, they spotted the man, who was somewhat concealed. When officers drove closer, the man came out from the shadows and pointed what looked like a gun at the officers. The suspect quickly dropped the gun once officers stepped out of their cars. He said it was a toy gun. Officers took the suspect into custody and determined that the handgun in his possession was a replica of a semi-automatic weapon, possibly a paint ball gun. The suspect was arrested and booked for assault with a deadly weapon and was held on outstanding warrants. He was identified as Patrick Lee Karrigan, 19, a transient. His bail was set at $53,000.
On Monday, June 5, at 9:35 a.m., officers responded to the corner of 6th Street and Pico Boulevard regarding a report of sexual battery. When they arrived, they spoke with a woman who said a man grabbed her butt as she exited a Big Blue Bus. The bus driver saw the move and called police. The alleged attacker walked away from the scene, but was apprehended a short time later and identified by the woman who was allegedly groped. The man was identified as David Anthony Podryfki, 63, a transient. His bail was set at $25,625. He was held for outstanding warrants.
Those who have information regarding any unsolved crime are asked to call the SMPD’s We-Tip toll-free, anonymous hotline at 1-(800)-78-CRIME (27463), which is staffed by bilingual tip operators 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 16, 2006. Read the original PDF.