A really strong arm robbery
By By Daily Press Staff
Crime Watch is a weekly series culled from reports provided by the Santa Monica Police Department. These are arrests only. All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
SUNDAY, JULY 8, AT 9:50 P.M. Santa Monica Police officers responded to the 800 block of Grant Street — Rest Haven Motel — after receiving a call about a fight in progress. As the officers responded to the scene, they were flagged down by a man who said he had been assaulted and forced to withdraw money from an ATM. The man told officers that he was in his room at the motel when he heard an argument outside his door. He went to see what was happening and, at that point, one of the people involved in the argument forced their way into the man’s motel room and began pushing him, telling the man to mind his own business and to not be so nosy, police said. The suspect then pushed the man into his motel bathroom, forced the door closed and took off with the man’s laptop. The man followed the suspect for several blocks, asking for his laptop back. The suspect said he would, only if he received money in return, police said. When the victim said “no,” the suspect grabbed him by the arm and forced him to withdraw money from a nearby ATM. Once he had the cash in hand, the suspect fled. Armed with a description of the suspect, officers were able to locate him a few blocks from the motel. He was arrested and booked for robbery, kidnapping and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police said the suspect had hypodermic needles in his possession. The suspect was identified as Otis Charles Johnson, 42, of Santa Monica. No bail was set because he was on probation, police said.
TUESDAY, JULY 10, AT 5:10 P.M. Officers responded to the 3000 block of Wilshire Boulevard — VIP Wireless and Accessories — regarding a theft that had just occurred. When officers arrived, they spoke with store employees who said that two suspects walked into the store and grabbed two Sidekick cell phones and ran out. The employees gave chase, but were unable to catch the suspects. The employees did spot a getaway vehicle in the 1500 block of Harvard Street, police said. When officers tried to apprehend the driver, he jumped out of the vehicle and tried to hide between two buildings. Officers were able to apprehend the driver, who was arrested for burglary and conspiracy to commit grand theft. The suspect was identified as Jerome Johnson, 18, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $20,000.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, AT 7:50 P.M. Undercover police officers on routine patrol in the 2400 block of Lincoln Boulevard noticed a woman walking up and down the street in a manner similar to those engaging in prostitution. One undercover officer decided to drive up to the woman and engaged her in a conversation. Police said the woman then offered to engage in sex in return for money. At that point, she was placed under arrest for prostitution. The suspect was identified as Marshell Lee Heard, 24, of San Diego. Her bail was set at $2,000.
FRIDAY, JULY 13, AT 3:35 P.M. Officers responded to the 500 block of Santa Monica Boulevard — Hi De Ho Comics — regarding a shoplifting suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they spoke to store employees, who said that a man walked into the comic book store wearing a large brown jacket. The suspect walked through the aisles and took several items off the shelves and then walked to a corner of the store and placed the items in his jacket. The man then walked out of the store, failing to pay for the items, employees said. He was detained outside by store employees and held until police arrived. The suspect was arrested for petty theft. He was identified as Max Von Achtermann, 19, a transient. His bail was set at $1,000. The items, which included three comic books worth a total of $62, were recovered.
SATURDAY, JULY 14, AT 4:25 A.M. Officers in the 1300 block of Palisades Park noticed a man sleeping in the park, a violation of a city ordinance that prohibits anyone to be in the park between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., police said. Officers approached the man and were preparing to write a citation when they found a small plastic baggy containing a white, crystalline substance, which later turned out to be methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested and charged with the municipal code violation, as well as possession of a controlled substance. He was identified as Jeffrey Matthew Gray, 25, of Stanton, Calif. His bail was set at $10,000.
Staff Writer KEVIN HERRERA compiled these reports.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 20, 2007. Read the original PDF.