By BY DAILY PRESS STAFF Compiled by Editor in Chief KEVIN HERRERA
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.
Sunday, May 18, at 10:50 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the 2600 block of Main Street regarding a report of a grand theft that just occurred. When officers arrived they spoke with several witnesses who said the suspect ran up to a man in a wheelchair who was about to purchase some tacos and grabbed $40 from the man’s front shirt pocket and then ran off. The victim yelled for help and police were called. The victim provided officers with a description of the suspect, who was apprehended a short time later. The victim positively identified the suspect, who was placed under arrest for grand theft and committing a crime against a dependent adult. The suspect was identified as Steven Ray Ward, 44, a transient.
Tuesday, May 13, at 9 a.m.,
Officers responded to the 1300 block of Palisades Beach Road regarding a burglary and vandalism investigation. When officers arrived, they made contact with the owner of a home under construction who said that a transient had broken into the home, damaged several windows and defecated on the floor and in a sink. The owner said the transient had been sleeping in the home for several days. He gave a description of the suspect to officers. Two days later officers went by the home to see if the suspect was there, and sure enough, he was. Officers placed the suspect under arrest for burglary and vandalism. The estimated cost of the damage was $2,000. The suspect was identified as Brandon Kentro Washington, 21, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
Wednesday, April 23, at 3:40 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 2800 block of Third Street regarding a burglary that just occurred. When officers arrived they spoke with a woman who said she left her apartment earlier in the day and when she returned she found her front door unlocked and several items missing, including an iPod, a digital camera, some costume jewelry and a bottle of prescription medication — a total loss of $750, police said. Several weeks later, officers arrested a suspect for burglary and violation of probation. The suspect was identified as Ryan Jennes McAteer, 27, a transient. No bail was set.
Wednesday, May 14, at 9:30 a.m.,
Officers responded to the Third Street Promenade Farmers’ Market after receiving a report of an attempted kidnapping that just occurred. When officers arrived they made contact with a nanny who said she was shopping at the market, pushing a 14-month-old child in a stroller when a man walked up to her, grabbed one of the stroller’s handles and attempted to push it on his own, saying, “My baby.” The nanny fought back and managed to regain control of the stroller and rushed over to a traffic safety officer who called police. Armed with a description of the suspect officers were able to locate him a short time later and placed him under arrest for attempted kidnapping and violation of parole. The suspect was identified as Darrell Craig Johnson, 43, a transient. No bail was set.
Monday, May 19, at 12:57 p.m.,
A park ranger patrolling Palisades Park observed a man with an open container of beer sitting behind the senior center. The ranger approached the suspect who began pouring out the beer. The suspect began to walk away, trying to avoid being issued a citation. The ranger called for police and stood in front of the suspect, blocking him. The suspect allegedly removed his belt and swung the buckle end at the park ranger. The ranger moved out of the way and tackled the suspect. The two wrestled on the ground, the suspect kicking and punching the ranger, police said. When officers arrived they placed the suspect in custody and he was booked for assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest. He was identified as Jose Rodriguez, 28, a transient. His bail was set at $30,000.
Sunday, May 18, at 1:40 a.m.,
Officers responded to the corner of Fifth and Bay streets regarding a report of a kidnapping in progress. When officers arrived they spoke with a witness who said he was visiting a friend when he overhead a woman screaming, telling someone to leave her alone. The witness went outside to see what was going on and watched as a man threw a woman up against a tree and then picked her up over his shoulders and walked toward a gray Toyota against her wishes. The witnesses called police and officers placed the suspect under arrest for attempted kidnapping, domestic violence, battery and resisting arrest. The suspect was identified as Dillon Anthony Negrete, 19, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $100,000.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 23, 2008. Read the original PDF.