Hotel guest pays dearly for free stay
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At 8:06 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, the Santa Monica police responded to the 100 block of Colorado Avenue, at the Holiday Inn, regarding a fraud investigation. When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to the hotel manager, who said he received a phone call from the victim who stated that someone had used her credit card without her permission. The manager checked the registry and noticed the suspect was still there. Santa Monica police officers went to the room, knocked on the door, and spoke to the suspect. During their investigation, the suspect claimed the credit card was in fact stolen. Donna Marie Hildebrandt, 41, was placed under arrest for commercial burglary and defrauding an inn keeper.
At 11:19 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, the Santa Monica police responded to the 2600 block of Virginia Avenue regarding a theft investigation. When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to the victim, who said she was seated in her vehicle working on her laptop computer when two suspects approached her and one suspect smashed her window and took her laptop. The second suspect acted as a lookout. The first suspect is described as a male of unknown race, 17-19 years of age, six feet tall, wearing a blue sweatshirt and blue jeans. The second suspect is described as a male of unknown race, 17 to 20 years of age, wearing a sweatshirt and white shirt. The laptop computer is estimated to have a $1,000 value.
At 1:25 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, the Santa Monica police stopped a subject at Bay and Neilson Way who matched the description of a robbery suspect. During their investigation, the subject was searched and officers recovered a small bindle of cocaine on his person. Theodore Roosevelt Bryant, 44, was arrested and transported to Santa Monica jail where he was booked for possession of a controlled substance. Officers from the Los Angeles police conducted a field show up, and the suspect was not implicated in the robbery.
At 1:06 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, the Santa Monica police responded to the 1200 block of Fourth Street regarding a forgery investigation at Circuit City. When officers arrived at the scene, they spoke to an employee who said the suspect presented a check for $2,718.60 with a fraudulent Georgia drivers license. The employee had checked with the management and discovered the check was altered. Thomas Armond, 22, was arrested for burglary, forgery and attempted grand theft and transported to Santa Monica jail.
At 7:55 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21, the Santa Monica police responded to the 2200 block of Colorado Avenue regarding a burglary investigation. When officers arrived at the scene, they saw male subject running from the location, and the officers later detained him. During their investigation, officers contacted the reporting party, who said they saw suspect inside the business carrying a bag. When confronted by security, the subject ran from the building. Officers recovered a black bag containing DVDs and other items. David Jackson, 33, was arrested and booked for burglary and probation violation.
This police report was prepared by Daily Press staff writer Ryan Hyatt.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 28, 2005. Read the original PDF.