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.
SATURDAY, DEC. 8, AT 6:20 P.M.
Santa Monica police officers responded to the 2900 block of Main Street — Planet Blue — regarding three shoplifting suspects in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with store employees who said three women walked into the store and placed several items into their purses and then left without paying for the items. Employees detained the suspects outside the store and called police for assistance. Officers said that one of the suspects said she stole the items because she had no money and felt pressure to get family members in Canada Christmas gifts. Officers placed the three women under arrest for commercial burglary. The suspects had more than $900 worth of items in their possession. The suspects were identified as Teryn Powell, 18; Caroline Nunn, 45; and Joan Noonan, 18; all from Venice. Bail was set at $20,000 for each.
TUESDAY, DEC. 4, AT 6:45 A.M.
Officers responded to the 1200 block of Idaho regarding a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with the victim, who said he was getting ready to put his briefcase into his car when the suspect approached him from behind with a gun and demanded money and the victim’s car keys. The victim handed over $47 and the keys to his car and the suspect fled. The victim called police from his cell phone and gave officers a detailed description of the suspect, who was quickly detained in the 900 block of 14th Street. The victim positively identified the suspect, who was arrested for armed robbery. No gun was found, however, police did recover the victim’s car keys and his cash. The suspect was identified as Connor Tripp, 23, from Culver City. No bail was set because the suspect was on probation, police said.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5, AT 1 A.M.
Officers on routine patrol near the corner of Longfellow and Ozone streets observed a suspect walking between parked cars armed with a flashlight. Officers said the suspect was using the flashlight to look into the cars. Officers tried to make contact with the suspect, who fled on a bike into Venice. Officers set up a perimeter and using canines were able to locate the suspect hiding underneath a parked car in the 700 block of Mochado. At the time of the arrest, police said the suspect was wearing latex gloves and had a flashlight in his pocket along with a tool kit, pocket knife, Allen wrench and was wearing dark clothing. At the time of the arrest, it was unclear if the suspect broke into any cars, but he was arrested for suspicion of burglary and possession of burglary tools. The suspect was identified as David Harris, 46, a transient. No bail was set as he was on probation and had several outstanding warrants, police said.
SUNDAY, DEC. 2, AT 10:30 P.M.
Officers responded to the 2600 block of Ocean Park Boulevard regarding a strong arm robbery that just occurred. When officers arrived, they made contact with the victim, who said she had given a male acquaintance $20 to buy some tequila. When he returned, he only had $2 in change and a bottle of tequila that was half empty. An argument ensued and the suspect bit the victim’s finger before making off with her necklace, police said. The suspect was later arrested and charged with armed robbery for taking the necklace. He was identified as Alvaro Vasquez, 37, a transient. His bail was set at $50,000.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5, AT 10 P.M.
Undercover officers with the narcotics and vice unit were on routine patrol in the area of Lincoln Boulevard and Pacific Street when they noticed a woman walking along the street trying to flag down people driving by. Officers suspected she was a prostitute and made contact with her. Officers said the suspect offered to have sex with the undercover officer in exchange for money. She was arrested for prostitution. The suspect was identified as Trycia Wilson, 21, from San Bernardino. Her bail was set at $2,000.
THURSDAY, DEC. 6, AT 10 A.M.
Officers with Santa Monica College and the SMPD responded to the college parking structure on Pico Boulevard at 16th Street after receiving a call about someone brandishing firearms. When officers arrived, they surrounded a car that was occupied by at least two individuals. Officers searched the car and found two replica handguns. Police said there had been robberies in the area recently, so they arrested the occupants on suspicion of robbery. The suspects were identified as Jeffrey Friday, 18, and Dustin Davis, 18; both from Los Angeles. Bail was set at $50,000 for each.
THURSDAY, DEC. 6, AT 1:05 P.M.
Officers responded to the corner of 10th Street and Idaho Avenue after receiving a call from witnesses who said they saw suspects force their way into a parked car and remove a bag and then leave in a white pick-up truck with a black camper shell. Armed with a description of the vehicle, officers were able to locate the suspects at the corner of 17th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard. Officers recovered a car stereo as well as a bag.
The suspects were arrested for auto burglary. They were identified as Alberto Solano, 22; Ceijas Garcia, 24; and Gonzalo Alvarez, 20; all from Los Angeles. Bail was set at $20,000 for Solano and Garcia. Bail for Alvarez was set at $23,290 because of outstanding warrants, police said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 14, 2007. Read the original PDF.