With a friend like this, who needs enemies?
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, JUNE 3, AT 4 P.M., Santa Monica police officers on routine patrol in the 1200 block of Lincoln Boulevard were flagged down by a man in a wheelchair who said that a friend of his had just tried to rob him while the two were in a nearby hotel room. The man told officers that he had met the suspect about six months ago and the two became friends. While they were in the hotel room the suspect asked the victim for money so that he could buy drugs. The man refused and the suspect allegedly punched him before rummaging through his belongings. The suspect, finding no money, left the hotel, but later returned, at which time he was placed under arrest for attempted robbery, police said. The suspect was identified as Deke McGovern, 37, a transient. His bail was set at $50,431.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, AT 2:30 P.M., Police officers responded to the 300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard — Hooters — regarding a report of a commercial burglary that occurred the day prior. When officers arrived, they made contact with employees at the restaurant who said that a suspicious man was seen on surveillance footage grabbing cash from the bar. A customer left the money as payment for their bill and walked out. The next day the suspect returned to the restaurant. Employees told him to leave and called police. Armed with a description of the suspect, officers were able to locate him a short distance away and placed him under arrest for allegedly stealing $38.12. While in custody, officers said the suspect gave a fake name. He was booked for burglary and for giving false information to an officer. The suspect was identified as Jacques Alain Serena, 37, a transient. His bail was set at $25,000.
THURSDAY, JUNE 5, AT 9:25 A.M., Officers responded to the 2000 block of Stewart Street regarding an armed robbery that just occurred. When officers arrived at the scene they made contact with the alleged victim who said he was waiting for a bus on Pico Boulevard when he saw three men approaching. That’s when the three suspects allegedly lunged at him, one trying to grab the victim’s backpack. When the victim refused to give it up one of the suspects pulled out of his pants a mini baseball bat and swung it at the victim’s head. The victim put up his right forearm and blocked the shot. The victim was able to give officers a description of the suspects and based on that information officers were able to locate them in the 2300 block of Pico Boulevard. The three suspects were arrested for armed robbery. The first suspect was identified as Rafael Ramos, 18, of Santa Monica. He was booked for possession of a weapon and his bail was set at $50,000. The second suspect, a 17-year-old from Santa Monica, was booked for robbery. The third suspect, a 14-year-old Santa Monican, was also booked for robbery.
FRIDAY, JUNE 6, AT 4 P.M., Officers responded to the 1400 block of Wilshire Boulevard — Bank of America — after receiving a report about a forgery in progress. When officers arrived they spoke to the bank’s manager who told them that a woman in custody tried to cash a bogus check in the amount of $7,425. The manager said that when he went to verify the check he noticed that the account where funds were to be withdrawn had a fraud alert and that the check he had was from a batch that was reported stolen. The manager called police and officers placed the suspect under arrest. The suspect was identified as Rose Tanuvasa, 26, of Compton. Her bail was set at $20,865.
FRIDAY, JUNE 6, AT 12:58 P.M., Officers were on routine patrol when they noticed a suspect spray painting the side of a wall in the 2900 block of Lincoln Boulevard. When officers tried to apprehend the suspect he fled on foot. Officers gave chase and arrested the suspect. At that time officers received a call from dispatch. A resident in the area saw another suspect flee the scene. Armed with a description, officers located the second suspect a short distance away. The suspects had fresh paint on their hands and clothing, police said. The suspects were booked for felony vandalism and for resisting arrest/obstruction. The first suspect was identified as Alberto Arechiga, 18, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $20,000. The second suspect was identified as Robert Rakosky, 18, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $20,000. Both suspects had been arrested before for vandalism, police said.
THURSDAY, JUNE 5, AT 10 P.M., Officers responded to the 2100 block of Lincoln Boulevard — Unocal gas station — regarding a disturbance call. When officers arrived they made contact with a truck driver who was offloading gasoline when he was allegedly attacked by a man. The truck driver told the man to go, at which point the suspect grabbed one of the woman’s crutches and swung it at the truck driver, nearly hitting him. Police were called and placed the suspect under arrest for assault with a deadly weapon. The suspect was identified as Harold Jerome Miller, 43, of Stockton. His bail was set at $30,431.
FRIDAY, JUNE 6, AT 9:54 P.M., Officers responded to the 2500 block of Ocean Park Boulevard — Clover Park — to assist a park ranger who reported seeing three men smoking marijuana. When officers arrived they made contact with the ranger who said that one of the suspects pulled a paint can and began writing something on the playground equipment. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for vandalism. No marijuana was found, police said. The suspect was identified as Mario Valencia, 20, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $500.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 13, 2008. Read the original PDF.