By By Daily Press Staff
Crime Watch is a weekly snapshot of the Santa Monica Police Department, culled from their own reports. The following are arrests only. All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Hello dolly: Crooks can’t fight City Halls BY DAILY PRESS STAFF WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28, AT 6:30 A.M. Santa Monica police officers responded to the 1700 block of Fourth Street after receiving a report about a burglary at the finance department for City Hall. When officers arrived, they spoke with city employees who said that someone used a drill to force open the door to their suite and made off with five computers, $100 in cash and a dolly. The finance department is located in an office building near City Hall. Detectives viewed a surveillance video and were able to identify at least one of two men seen leaving the area with the stolen items. One of the suspects used to work in the building for a private vendor, police said. Search and arrest warrants were issued for two locations, one in South Gate and the other in Bell Gardens. Two men were arrested and all of the items were recovered. The suspects were identified as Josue Vidal Quinonez, 19 of Bell Gardens, and Sergio Chavarria, 47, of South Gate. Bail was set at $20,000 each. The computers were valued at $8,400, police said.
SUNDAY, FEB. 25, AT 11:30 P.M. Police responded to the 2600 block of Ocean Park Boulevard regarding an attempted robbery that had just occurred. When officers arrived at the location, they spoke with a man who said he was walking along Ocean Park Boulevard when he was approached by two people he knew from living on the streets. The two allegedly asked him for some beer and when the victim told them he had no beer and no money, the two suspects began punching him in the face. The victim managed to escape and call police. Officers located the suspects a few blocks away. The two were arrested for attempted robbery. They were identified as Sara Garcia Montes, 30, a transient, and Marcelino Castro Ybarra, 45, also a transient. Bail was set at $50,000 each.
SATURDAY, MARCH 3, AT 5:40 P.M. Police responded to the 2900 block of Main Street — Planet Blue — regarding a burglary that had just taken place. When officers arrived, they noticed the store’s glass door had been smashed by a brick and that $2,600 worth of clothing had been removed. Investigators searched the store for clues and discovered a backpack containing information on one of the suspects. Detectives drove to an apartment in the 2800 block of Neilson Way, where they arrested two men — Mark Alan Racco, 30, and Louie Ramon Sabatasso, 36. Both are residents of Santa Monica, police said. They were booked for burglary and for being under the influence of narcotics. Bail was set at $42,000 each.
SUNDAY, MARCH 4, AT 12:20 P.M. Police responded to the 800 block of Santa Monica Boulevard — Jack in the Box — regarding an assault and battery investigation. When officers arrived, they spoke with a man who said he had gone into the fast-foot restaurant to inform employees about a man who was outside aggressively panhandling, causing a disturbance. A security guard confronted the man outside the restaurant and asked him to leave. An argument ensued. The man who originally called security tried to pull out mace to spray the panhandler, but was punched in the face, police said. The suspect was detained by security and placed under arrest for assault and battery. The suspect was identified as David Andrew Neal, 45, a transient. His bail was set at $20,000.
FRIDAY, MARCH 2, AT 4:35 P.M. Officers responded to the 1300 block of the Third Street Promenade — Subway — regarding a report of shoplifting. When officers arrived, they detained a man who employees said had repeatedly taken potato chips and soda without paying. Officers arrested the suspect for shoplifting and a probation violation. He was identified as Michael Drew Hutchings, 20, a transient. His bail was set at $10,750 MONDAY, FEB. 26, AT 2:50 P.M. Police on routine patrol in Palisades Park said they noticed a man smoking marijuana. When officers approached, the man tried to hide a cellophane wrapper with marijuana wrapped inside of it, police said. Officers searched the suspect and recovered it. They also found a metal, spring-loaded center punch commonly used to break into vehicles, police said. The suspect was arrested for being in possession of narcotics and burglary tools. The suspect was identified as Joshua Allen Jackson, 18, a transient. His bail was set at $500.
Staff Writer Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 9, 2007. Read the original PDF.