By Daily Press staff
A Santa Monica man was arrested Thursday for possession of a concealed handgun and possession of cocaine.
At 3:40 a.m., Santa Monica Police responded to a call by a resident in the 3000 block of Highland Avenue of a possible attempted burglary in progress.
When officers arrived they saw two men standing next to a white pickup truck parked on the street in the Ocean Park neighborhood, between Pier Avenue and Marine Street.
During a search of the men, officers found a handgun. Officers confiscated the gun and arrested him. While he was being handcuffed, police found five “coin baggies” containing a white powdery substance resembling cocaine. The suspect was transported to the Santa Monica Jail.
The white powdery substance was later tested by police and found to be cocaine.
The suspect was booked for possession of a firearm while in possession of narcotics; possession of cocaine and intent to sell cocaine.
The suspect was identified as Michael Emerson Maisch of Santa Monica. Bail has been set at $30,000.
The burglary report by the resident turned out to be unfounded and the other man was released.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 3, 2002. Read the original PDF.