A Culver City man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly assaulted and threatened a woman in a Santa Monica neighborhood the day before.
Vince Yoshito Nishisaka, 38, was arrested by Santa Monica Police early Tuesday for making criminal threats, domestic violence, carrying a concealed firearm and stalking, according to Lt. Frank Fabrega. Nishisaka was booked into the Santa Monica Jail. His bail is set at $150,000.
The victim, who resides in Redondo Beach, went to the Santa Monica Police station on Monday at 5:30 p.m. to report that Nishisaka allegedly threatened her and hit her with the rear view mirror he reportedly broke off her car about four hours earlier.
She told police he approached her between Arizona Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard near 20th Street. She was dropping off her child at a school in the area. She told police Nishisaka wanted to talk about their relationship. She agreed and followed him two blocks east in her car. Nishisaka got into her car and they had a conversation. During the conversation, Nishisaka allegedly threatened her and then struck her with the mirror. He fled the area. The victim sustained a cut and bruise from the incident.
As part of their investigation and additional information that Nishisaka might pose a serious threat to the victim, Santa Monica Police conducted surveillance of Nishisaka’s home in Culver City throughout the night.
At about 6:30 a.m., Nishisaka was seen leaving his home in his car. A few minutes later, Santa Monica police pulled him over at Lindblade and Stoner Avenue in Culver City. Police searched the vehicle, where they found a loaded firearm.
Fabrega said the SMPD routinely does domestic violence investigations that take officers outside of the city.
“It was important that the suspect was found because the victim is in fear all the time which made it imperative for his arrest,” he said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 18, 2002. Read the original PDF.