Would-be customer’s dreams fall flat
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.
TUESDAY, NOV. 13, AT 10:30 P.M. Officers responded to the 2000 block of Lincoln Boulevard — Kragen Auto Parts — regarding a report of malicious mischief. When officers arrived, they spoke with an employee at the auto parts store, who said they were waiting for a ride inside the store, which was closed for the day, when a man approached and asked to buy a bottle of fix-aflat. The employee said they could not sell the product to the man because the store was officially closed. The man allegedly became irritated and started pulling on the door. He pulled so hard that he eventually was able to open the door and gain access to the store, police said. The man again asked the employee to sell him fix-a-flat, but the employee refused, instead calling the police. Officers arrived and detained the suspect about a block away from the store. The suspect was arrested for felony vandalism because the extent of the damage to the store was more than $500, police said. The suspect was identified as James Samuel Pollack, 39, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $21,200.
SUNDAY, NOV. 18, AT 9:15 P.M. Police responded to the 2300 block of 34th Street regarding a report of someone who was passed out at a private residence. When officers arrived, they spoke with those who live at the home, who said that a family member had passed out and was not responsive. Officers made contact with the family member and determined they were under the influence of some controlled substance. The officers searched the suspect and found a small amount of rock cocaine and a glass pipe. The suspect was arrested and booked for possession. The suspect was identified as Sheri Valdez, 46, of Santa Monica. Her bail was set at $10,000.
FRIDAY, NOV. 16, AT 3 A.M. Officers on routine patrol near the corner of Lincoln Boulevard and Navy Street stopped a man whom they believed was involved in prostitution. During the course of an investigation, officers found a small amount of what appeared to be methamphetamine. The suspect, who was on parole, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and solicitation of prostitution. No bail was set because he was on parole. The suspect was identified as Bobby Lewis Momon, 26, of Venice.
THURSDAY, NOV. 15 AT 4:40 P.M. Officers responded to the 2000 block of Ocean Avenue — Crescent Bay Park — regarding a report of an assault on a community service officer. When officers arrived, they made contact with the victim, who said he was patrolling the park when he noticed a man drinking beer. The community service officer approached the suspect and asked him to dispose of the beer. The suspect allegedly refused, became agitated and then picked up a scooter parked nearby and tried to flee. In the process, the suspect knocked down the officer, who called for back up. The suspect was arrested about a block away for assault and battery. He was identified as Arvin Chiong, 32, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $20,000.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14, AT 5 P.M. Officers responded to the corner of 26th Street and Olympic Boulevard regarding a strong-arm robbery that had just occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with the victim, who said he was sitting down on a curb when a homeless man approached him and allegedly said, “This is what you get for disrespecting me,” and then punched the victim several times. As he was punching the victim, the suspect took two necklaces from the victim. The suspect was apprehended by police a few blocks away and was arrested for robbery. The necklaces were recovered. The suspect was identified as Fatu Fatu, 34, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14, AT 3:45 A.M. Officers on routine patrol in the 1550 Parking Lot near the Santa Monica Pier noticed a man who appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Officers made contact with the man and conducted a search. The officers said they found a small baggy containing what looked like methamphetamine. The officers also found a hypodermic needle. The suspect was charged with being under the influence and for possession. He was identified as Nathaniel Lee Shaffer, 22, a transient. His bail was set at $10,000.
MONDAY, NOV. 12, AT 10:25 A.M. Police responded to the 1400 block of Third Street — Hear Music — regarding a report of sexual battery. When officers arrived, they made contact with the victim who said she had just purchased a cup of coffee when the suspect walked into the coffee house/music store and grabbed her breasts. The victim screamed and pushed the suspect away. Store employees called police, who arrested the suspect outside the store. The suspect was arrested for sexual battery. He was identified as John Peter Slegr, 60, a transient. His Bail was set at $25,500.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14, AT 9:30 P.M. Officers responded to the 1900 block of Main Street — O’Brien’s Irish Pub — regarding a report of someone disturbing the peace. When officers arrived, they found the suspect standing out front of the bar screaming racial epithets at people passing by. The suspect was detained. Officers questioned employees at the bar who said the suspect had walked into the bar and ordered a drink and some French fries. When he was told he could not eat the French fries at the bar, employees said the suspect began to yell and cause a scene. He was escorted outside the bar by the bouncer, where he continued to scream. The suspect was arrested for disturbing the peace and using offensive words likely to incite people. He was identified as Michael James Ryan. His bail was set at $500.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 23, 2007. Read the original PDF.