Cops and robberies
By By Daily Press Staff
Crime Watch is a weekly series culled from police reports provided by the Santa Monica Police Department. These are arrests only. All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
MONDAY, MARCH 10, AT 1:45 P.M., Santa Monica police officers responded to the 2100 block of Pico Boulevard — Wine Barrel Liquors — after receiving a report about a strong arm robbery that just occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with employees at the liquor store who said two woman walked in, grabbed cigarettes and bottles of liquor and then walked out without paying. Once outside the store, an employee tried to detain the two suspects, one of which punched the employee in the back of the head. The two suspects dropped the booze and ran off. Armed with a description of the suspects, officers were able to locate the woman in Virginia Avenue Park. The packs of cigarettes were recovered and the woman arrested. Suspect one was identified as Fahara Elizabeth Kalman, 18, from Los Angeles. Her bail was set at $50,000. Suspect two was identified as Trophine Katrice Carter, 25. No booking or bail information was a available for the suspect.
MONDAY, MARCH 10, 8:44 P.M. Officers responded to the 1500 block of Ocean Avenue regarding a robbery in progress. When officers arrived, they made contact with a witness, a bus driver, who said that he was sitting in his tour bus waiting for his passengers to return when the suspect walked onto the bus and began rummaging through people’s bags. The bus driver confronted the suspect, who allegedly told him to back off. At that point one of the passengers stepped onto the bus, saw the suspect, and pounced on him, pinning him against the seat until police arrived. The suspect was taken into custody and booked for strong arm robbery. The suspect was identified as Ronald Gerard Wilson, 53, from Los Angeles. No bail was set because Wilson was on parole, police said.
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, AT 11 A.M., Officers responded to the 100 block of Broadway after seeing a man running from a gift store. Officers detained the individual and interviewed the store manager, who said the suspect walked into the store and stole cigarettes. When the employee tried to stop the suspect, he swung at him, but missed, police said. Officers recovered packs of cigarettes and arrested the suspect for strong arm robbery. He was identified as Vernon Charles King, 58, from Los Angeles. No bail was set because he was on probation, police said.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, AT 8:40 P.M., Officers responded to 1400 block of Third Street — Urban Outfitters — regarding a petty theft that just occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with store employees who said two woman walked in with bags from another store. They placed several pieces of jewelry in the bags and then left the store without paying for the items, the employees said. Once outside the store, employees detained the suspects. One allegedly had roughly $24 worth of jewelry while the other allegedly had $100 worth. The suspects were placed under arrest for petty theft. Suspect one was identified as Denise Raquel Hernandez, 18, from Reseda. Her bail was set at $1,000. Suspect two was identified as Lynda Alessandra Velasquez-Rodriguez, 19. No bail information was available for the second suspect.
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, AT 9 P.M., Officers on routine patrol on the Third Street Promenade were flagged down by three women who said they were groped while watching street performers. The three followed a man whom they believed was responsible and pointed him out to police. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for sexual battery. He was identified as Julio Cesar Gomez, 22, from Venice. His bail was set at $20,000.
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, AT 4:40 P.M., Officers responded to the 1000 block of Ocean Avenue regarding an auto burglary in progress. Witnesses told officers that they saw a man walking along the street trying to open car doors. He eventually found a Suzuki Samari and allegedly pried open the convertible top far enough to open the car door. He then began rummaging through the car, witnesses said. When officers spotted the suspect in the car, he immediately left and began walking down the street. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for auto burglary. The suspect was identified as Michael Thomas Futris, 25, of Warren, MI. His bail was set at $20,000.
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, AT 11 P.M., Officers responded to the 2700 block of Main Street — Chinois on Main — regarding an assault and battery that just occurred. Employees at the restaurant told officers that the suspect was dining with a friend when both left the restaurant without paying. Once outside they were confronted by employees, who demanded payment. The bill was eventually paid, but during the conversation, the suspect, who seemed to be intoxicated, slapped one of the employees. He was arrested and charged with assault. He was identified as James David Bowman, 68, of Los Alamos, NM. His bail was set at $500.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 21, 2008. Read the original PDF.