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# Juveniles were headed down the wrong path
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/failure-to-launchfails-to-hit-the-three-cs/
- Published: 2006-03-10T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T17:20:41.000Z
- Author: Dan Dunn
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

On Feb. 25 at 8:45 p.m., a Santa Monica Police officer was patrolling the 1100 block of Pacific Coast Highway when he observed a group of four men walking along the bike path. The men were seen forming circles and surrounding couples walking along the path. The officer could not tell what was said. The four men jumped into a Honda and drove off. They were pulled over by police while on the I-10 Freeway. No one riding in the car had a driver’s license. The car was impounded and searched. Officers found a handgun and knife under the passenger’s seat. The four in the car were arrested on probable cause for robbery. They were juveniles and were taken to the juvenile detention facility. The adult passenger, identified as Manuel Zepeda, 19, of Los Angeles, was booked for robbery and bail was set at $5,000\. The investigation is still ongoing.

On Feb. 28 at 9:17 a.m., Santa Monica Police responded to the 800 block of Pacific Street regarding a man picking trash in the alley. Officers talked with the man and ran a background check, which showed he was a parolee at-large. He was arrested, and during the search, officers found a large wooden club concealed in his pants. He was transported to the local jail for a parole violation and possession of a dangerous weapon. He was identified as Frank Anthony Cieslak, 33, a transient. No bail was set.

On March 1 at 6:30 p.m., Santa Monica Police responded to the 1800 block of 16th Street regarding a domestic violence complaint. When officers arrived, the victim said her boyfriend accused her of stealing his narcotics and that he choked her. The suspect, identified as Benjamin Gonzalez, Jr., 22, from Lawndale, was placed under arrest for domestic violence. When officers searched him, they found a pill believed to be narcotics. He was booked for possession and assault. His bail was set at $50,000.

On March 2, at 1.25 a.m., Santa Monica Police responded to the 1400 block of Fourth Street regarding a report of vandalism. When officers arrived, they contacted a security guard who said he was taking out the trash when he saw a man near the alley scratching the hood of a car. The security guard said the man was using the metal handle of a “Swiffer” and smashed out both of the car’s headlights and the grill. He was placed under arrest and was booked for felony vandalism. He was identified as Sonny Mask, 41, a transient.

On March 4 at 10:40 p.m., Santa Monica Police stopped a man riding a bicycle at the 500 block of Colorado Avenue. Officers asked the man for identification and tried to issue a citation for a traffic violation. The bicyclist had no I.D. The officers were unable to issue a citation and placed him under arrest. During a search, officers recovered an hypodermic needle in the suspect’s possession. They also learned that he had six outstanding warrants for a variety of misdemeanors. He was taken to jail and booked. He was identified as Daniel Damato, 38, a transient. His bail was set at $13,500.

On March 5 at 5:15 a.m., Santa Monica Police responded to the 1900 block of Lincoln Boulevard after receiving a call that a man was harassing two women at the location. When officers arrived, they spoke with witnesses who directed them to the suspect, who was sitting in black BMW in a nearby parking lot. The officers talked with the man, who did not have a valid driver’s license. The women said they did not want to prosecute and the man was allowed to leave, only if he did not drive. Officers watched as the man, identified as Gary Taylor of Inglewood, ignored their order and proceeded to drive away. He was stopped and arrested for driving on a suspended license. While detained, Taylor made several threats towards the officers. He was booked for making threats, driving on a suspended license and for a probation violation. No bail was set.

On Feb. 28, Santa Monica Police officers responded to the 1300 block of Wilshire Boulevard where a man was causing a disturbance at a local movie theater. When officers arrived, they saw a subject running across the street. When officers stopped him, he got very upset and began flailing his arms violently. He spat on the officers and was arrested for assault on a police officer and for a probation violation. He was later identified as James Scott Keegan, 47, a transient. His bail was set at $36,500.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 10, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/031006.pdf?ref=smdp.com)