Roommate troubles
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.
MONDAY, FEB. 25, AT 4:10 P.M., Santa Monica police officers arrived at a home in the 2400 block of Ocean Park Boulevard and arrested a suspect believed to have forged her roommate’s paycheck. Officers said the suspect earlier in the month went to Bob’s Market to cash her roommate’s check without his permission. When the roommate did not receive his check for several days, he called his employer to find out where it was. The employer told the roommate that his paycheck was issued and cashed several days ago at Bob’s Market. The roommate went to the market, talked with the manager and watched surveillance video allegedly showing his roommate cashing his check. He called police, who watched the video and made the arrest. The suspect was booked for check forgery. She was identified as Beatriz H. Zustovich, 48, a Santa Monica resident. Her bail was set at $20,000.
MONDAY, FEB. 25, AT 6:50 P.M., Officers responded to the 1550 parking lot adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier after receiving a call from an officer with the California Highway Patrol about a man brandishing a knife, threatening to attack two people in a bathroom. When officers arrived, they made contact with the two alleged victims who said they were in a bathroom underneath the pier when a man pulled out a four-inch, serrated steal folding knife and began pointing it at them in a threatening manner. The suspect began yelling at the victims in Spanish. After a few seconds, the suspect left and the victims flagged down the CHP officer to report the incident. Armed with a description of the suspect, officers were able to locate him a few yards away as he tried to make his way onto the bike path. Officers recovered the knife and placed the suspect under arrest for exhibiting a deadly weapon in a rude and threatening manner. The suspect was identified as Umberto Hernandez Gallegos, 27, a transient. His bail was set at $26,000. Police said the suspect had a couple of warrants for his arrest.
FRIDAY, FEB. 22, AT 10:40 P.M., Officers responded to the 1800 block of Michigan Avenue regarding an assault and battery that just occurred. When officers arrived, they saw a man walking down the street who matched the description of the suspect. Officers ordered the suspect to stop. He allegedly refused and continued to walk down the street. Officers made several attempts to get him to stop and eventually were able to detain him, but not before the suspect yelled out that he had a gun. Officers were able to apprehend the suspect without incident and recovered a semi-automatic,.38 caliber handgun that was loaded with a bullet in the chamber and the hammer cocked back. The suspect was placed under arrest for carrying a handgun and for being a known gang member in possession of a loaded weapon. The suspect, who ended up not being the one responsible for the assault and battery, was identified as Oscar Armando Alvarado, 32, from Santa Monica. His bail was set at $65,000.
ON FRIDAY, FEB. 22, AT 7:10 P.M., Officers responded to the 1200 block of Cedar Street after receiving several reports of a suspicious person knocking on doors. Officers have been on the lookout for suspects wanted in connection with a series of burglaries in the area and believed the suspect may be one of them. Officers made contact with the suspect, who said she was selling magazine subscriptions. Officers arrested the suspect for selling subscriptions without the proper permit. The suspect was identified as Monique Danielle Grier, 25, from St. Louis. Her bail was set at $35.
MONDAY, FEB. 25, AT 10 A.M., Officers responded to the 500 block of Santa Monica Boulevard — Goodwill — regarding a shoplifting suspect in custody. When officers arrived they made contact with store security who said the suspect walked into the store and picked up a CD player and then walked out without paying for the item. He was detained by security once outside the store. Officers arrested the suspect for burglary because he had no money on him, showing an intent to steal. The suspect also had a warrant for his arrest. He was identified as Jorge Olvera, 47, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000. The CD player was valued at $20.
THURSDAY, FEB. 28, AT 4:30 A.M., Officers responded to the 900 block of Olympic Boulevard — Frame Store Corp. — regarding a report of trespassing. Officers made contact with the three suspects, who were previously warned about trespassing. Officers arrested the suspects, who were identified as Douglas Miles, 25, a transient, and Tifini Michaelle Jennens, 23, a transient. Their bail was set at $1,000. A third suspect, Shaun Paul Warters, 25, a transient, had his bail set at $2,520 because of outstanding warrants.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 7, 2008. Read the original PDF.