By By Daily Press Staff
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.
Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 a.m.
Officers responded to the 600 block of Ocean Front Walk after receiving a report about a man masturbating in public. When officers arrived, they spoke with three witnesses who said they were walking along the beach when they saw a man walking around with his penis in his hand, shaking it. They called police and the man was arrested for indecent exposure. He was identified as Selethius Antwan Parker, 30, a transient. His bail was set at $500.
Monday, Oct. 8, at 3:40 p.m.
Officers responded to the 1000 block of Sixth Street after receiving a report about a burglary that had just occurred. When officers arrived, they spoke with witnesses, who said they saw two men rummaging through a parked car at the corner of Sixth Street and California Avenue. Witnesses said they noticed that one of the car’s windows was shattered. Witnesses said that when the two men saw them, they ran and jumped into a car that was idling nearby. A third suspect was sitting in the drivers’ seat. Officers located that vehicle and the three suspects a short time later. While searching the car, officers discovered a face plate to a car stereo inside the alleged getaway-car. Officers believed the suspects were also responsible for another auto burglary that occurred in the 1100 block of Sixth Street earlier that day. The suspects were arrested for burglary. One of the suspects was a 16-year-old. Police are not allowed to give information on juvenile suspects. The other two arrested were adults: Fernando Meza, 18, and Fredy Caceres, 47, both from Los Angeles. Bail was set at $20,000 for each suspect.
Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 7:20 a.m.
Officers received a call from a Big Blue Bus driver who said that a suitcase she stuck behind her seat was missing. She told police that she got on her bus at the corner of Fourth Street and Santa Monica Boulevard and placed the black vinyl suitcase behind her seat, as she normally does, before starting her route. When she arrived at UCLA, she noticed the suitcase was missing. Using digital video footage of the bus, officers were able to spot a suspect taking the suitcase when he exited the bus just after the driver got on. As of Wednesday, Oct. 17, the suspect was still at large. He is described as a white male, 45 to 50, 6 feet tall, medium weight with brown hair and a light complexion. He was wearing a long-sleeved, purple, button-up shirt and tan pants. Officers said the total loss came to $483.
Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m.
Officers responded to Santa Monica Place – Whitehall Jewelers — regarding a report of grand theft by an employee. When officers arrived, they spoke with the store manager who said that a mall merchant brought in several items valued at more than $900 dollars that they said they purchased for $200 from an employee at the jewelry store. The mall merchant said they were approached by the employee outside of the store. The manager of the jewelry store told police that the items returned had been stolen. They included a white cold crown pendent and white gold cross pendant, both with a chain. One of the items was set with a diamond worth $700. The employee in question returned to work a few days later and was detained by store security until police arrived. The employee was arrested for grand theft. She was identified as Estrella Abila, 19, of Santa Monica. Her bail was set at $20,000.
Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 2:30 p.m.
Officers responded to Marine Park after receiving a call from a city employee about an assault and battery that had just occurred. When officers arrived, they spoke with the employee, a park attendant, who said that he had been notified by a couple of park users that there were three cross-dressers inside the women’s bathroom. The staff member went into the bathroom and told the men dressed like women to leave. Two did, but one refused and began to yell and scream at the staff member. The cross-dresser then spit at and hit the staff member in the shoulder. Police arrested the suspect, who was said to be wearing short shorts with nail polish and the word Venice written with polish across his stomach. He was identified as Robert Garcia Herrera, 37, a transient. He was charged with assault and battery. His bail was set at $20,000.
Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 10:10 a.m.
A park ranger was patrolling the 1200 block of Palisades Park when he was struck in the arm by a Frisbee. The disc was thrown by a homeless man who had argued with the ranger in the past. The ranger felt the throw was done on purpose and called the police. The homeless man was arrested for assault and battery. He was identified as David Neal, 45. His bail was set at $20,000.
Staff Writer Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 19, 2007. Read the original PDF.