By By Daily Press Staff
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, AT 9 P.M. Santa Monica Police officers responded to the 800 block of the beach regarding a man who was holding two women hostage, threatening to kill them if they tried to flee. Police said two women were walking along the beach when they were confronted by a man who pushed one of the women down and jumped on her, putting his hands around her neck as if he was going to choke her. The woman later told police she thought her alleged attacker was trying to rape her. The second woman began to scream and the man let go, stood up and made threatening gestures, as if he was going to slash the women’s throats. He demanded money, taking $20 and a camera, police said. After a while, he decided to let the younger of the two women go. She ran to Palisades Park where she flagged down an pedestrian and called police. Officers responded to the beach and arrested the man for robbery, making terrorist threats, kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon. The entire incident lasted about three hours, police said. The suspect was identified as Jader Rugama, 31, a transient. His bail was set at $1 million.
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, AT 10:30 A.M. Officers responded to a residence in the 2200 block of Fifth Street regarding a robbery that had occurred. When officers arrived, they spoke with a man who said he was visiting his mother-in-law when he noticed a baby stroller belonging to her no longer sitting on the front porch. The man jumped in his car to look for the stroller. A few minutes later, he told police that he saw three people in the 2500 block of Sixth Street with the stroller and a shopping cart loaded with bottles and cans. He approached them and demanded the stroller back. He gave the three information about distinctive marks on the stroller but the three would not give it up, police said. The father got into a fist fight with the three, two of whom tried to stab him with a broken bottle, the man said. A resident nearby saw the fight and called the police. Armed with a description of the suspects, officers arrested them a few minutes later. They were transported to the Santa Monica Jail. One suspect was identified as Janet Kay Curry, 44, a transient. She was charged with possession of stolen property. Her bail was set at $23,564. She had several outstanding warrants, police said. A second suspect was identified as William Warren McCune, 55, a transient. He was charged with robbery and bail was set at $59,500. He too had outstanding warrants, police said. The third suspect was identified as Richard Dale Heinlein, 44, a transient. His bail was set at $51,900. He also had outstanding warrants, police said.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, AT 1:15 P.M. Officers responded to a hospital in Woodland Hills regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. When officers arrived, they spoke with a victim who said he was partying in the 1400 block of Fourth Street — Harvelle’s — he got into an argument with the friend of a friend. The verbal blows turned physical, police said, when the man picked up a shot glass, poured the liquor on the victims’ head and then punched him in the eye with the shot glass, creating a gash above the eye that required seven stitches to close. The attacker then fled. He was later arrested in Marina del Rey. The suspect was identified as Robert William Jeffs, 61, from England. His bail was set at $30,000.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, AT 10:25 A.M. Officers responded to the 700 block of Pacific Coast Highway regarding a suspicious person on the premises. When officers arrived they found the suspect in a stairwell. During an investigation, the suspect said he was waiting for a friend, but officers found no such person who lived at the condominium complex. Officers learned that the suspect had an extensive record for burglaries, narcotics related offenses and for possession of stolen property. The suspect was also arrested by SMPD officers about a week earlier in a carport at a local motel for prowling after guests saw him removing lightbulbs in the parking lot. He had gloves and a flashlight at the time of that arrest. The suspect was taken into custody for attempted burglary at the condos. He was identified as William Fausto, 32, from Whittier. No bail was set because the suspect was on probation for burglary.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, AT 4:50 P.M. Officers responded to the 2600 block of Santa Monica Boulevard regarding a report of a man yelling about someone chasing him. When officers arrived, they spoke with witnesses who said the man was acting very erratic and appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Officers detained the man, who led them to a hotel on Santa Monica Boulevard. There, officers found a man who appeared to be a transvestite. Officers felt he too was using drugs and he was arrested along with the first suspect for being under the influence. The first suspect was identified as Elliott Phillip Robbins, 64, from Los Angeles. No bail was set because he was on parole, police said. The second suspect was identified as Bobby Momon, 25, from Santa Monica. No bail was set because he was also on parole, police said.
ON SATURDAY, MARCH 31, AT 2:30 P.M. Officers responded to the 200 block of Court One regarding two homeless people who had allegedly been robbed and harassed by another transient. When officers arrived, they spoke to the victims who said they were coming out of their hotel room when they were approached by a man who said they owed him money. He started threatening and intimidating them, so much so, that the victims gave him $20, police said. The man returned to the hotel a short time later and began banging on the door, saying if they didn’t give him money, he would beat them up. They refused and eventually he left. Armed with a description of the suspect, officers were able to locate him the next day and he was arrested for robbery. He was identified as Gary Lee Price, 40, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 13, 2007. Read the original PDF.