By Daily Press staff
A crazed, hungry homeless man managed to avoid criminal charges of shoplifting and assault on Thursday, even after he allegedly tried to steal food from a 7-11, pushed a woman and threw items at Southern California Edison employees. Police detained him anyway for a psychological evaluation.
The unidentified man had an eventful morning: ■ At 8:12 a.m., police were called to the 7-11 at Seventh Street and Wilshire Boulevard, after the suspect reportedly attempted to steal food. Employees there declined to press charges. ■ At 8:28 a.m., police were called to the 700 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, where a woman said she was walking along the sidewalk when the man matching the description of the suspect at 7-11 pushed her. She declined to press charges. Police searched the area, but couldn’t find the suspect. ■ At 9:30 a.m., Southern California Edison employees reported to police that the suspect was throwing unknown items at them while they were working on the 1300 block of Pacific Coast Highway. He fled on foot up the California Incline and was intercepted by police at Fourth and Arizona streets. Edison employees also declined to press charges.
The man was subsequently sent to a hospital for a mental evaluation.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 9, 2004. Read the original PDF.