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.
By Daily Press Staff
Thursday, April 26, at 4:15 p.m.
Officers responded to the 1500 block of Palisades Park regarding a man who was yelling at passersby, challenging them to fight. When officers made contact with the suspect, they determined the man was intoxicated. Officers said the suspect told them he was challenging people to fight because he wanted to “look strong in front of my woman.” The suspect was arrested for public intoxication and disturbing the peace. He was identified as Steven Ray, 42, a transient. His bail was set at $5,000.
Tuesday, April 24, at 3:05 p.m.
Officers arrested a suspect wanted in connection with a robbery that occurred in March. Police said the suspect approached a woman he knew who was standing on a street corner in the 2000 block of Pico Boulevard. The suspect asked the woman for some money. When the female refused, telling the man she had no money, the suspect allegedly threatened to kill her and grabbed the victim by the shirt collar, put his arm around her neck and began to punch her in the chest several times. Police said a bystander yelled at the suspect to let the woman go. The suspect then walked over to the witness and threatened him before jumping on a bicycle. The suspect rode away and was apprehended about a month later. Police identified the suspect as Ronnie Clunie. No bail information was available.
Tuesday, April 24, at 4:30 p.m.
Officers responded to the 1400 block of Pacific Coast Highway regarding a suspicious person wandering through a condominium complex. When officers arrived, the suspect was walking out of the front door of the building. Officers detained the man and interviewed residents who said they did not recognize him. The suspect told officers that he was going to stay at the condo of a friend. He began naming various people, none of whom lived at the residence. Officers contacted the condo owner who said he had no idea who the suspect was and did not give anyone permission to stay at his home. The suspect was arrested on suspicion of burglary. He was identified as Scott Anthony Horowitz, 31, from Thousands Oaks. His bail was set at $50,000.
Friday, April 27, at 8:20 p.m.
Police responded to the 1700 block of Pico Boulevard regarding a strong-arm robbery. When officers arrived, they spoke with a man who said he was standing on a street corner when several men approached him and asked him if he had any “weed,” police said. When he said no, the group asked him if he was a gang member. When the victim tried to walk away, the men grabbed him and began to hit him. They took his cell phone, which was valued at $500, and a hat valued at $31, police said. Officers on patrol later that evening stopped a vehicle that was occupied by men matching the description of the suspects. The victim was able to identify the men and they were taken into custody. One was a juvenile. The adults involved were identified as Javarro Emanuel Spinx, 20, of Westchester; Marvin Glen Wilson, 21, of Santa Monica; and Shamir Samaan, 19, of Santa Monica. Bail was set at $50,000 each. All three were arrested for robbery.
Friday, April 27, at 12:15 a.m.
Officers on routine patrol in the 2300 block of Ocean Park Boulevard noticed a vehicle with a broken window and expired tags. Officers conducted a traffic stop. During an interview with the driver, officers noticed that he was exhibiting signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Officers searched the car and found a small amount of rock cocaine. The driver was arrested and charged with possession of narcotics. Officers said the car was a rental and the suspect broke a window because he had locked the keys inside. Officers said the suspect told them he was tired of waiting for the tow truck company and decided to break the window. He was identified as Bryan Richard Kontak, 33, of Marina del Rey. His bail was set at $10,000.
Wednesday, April 25, at 12:55 a.m.
Officers on routine patrol spotted a man riding a bicycle without any lights, a violation. Officers stopped the man and conducted a consensual search of the suspect, discovering an American Express platinum card belonging to someone other than the suspect. Officers called the credit card company, and discovered the card had been stolen within the past 10 days. During that time, someone tried to use the card to purchase around $30,000 in goods at a Costco in Los Angeles. The purchase was not made. The suspect was identified as Jesse Leon Garrett, 32, from Venice. Bail was set at $20,000. He was booked for possession of a stolen credit card.
Staff Writer Kevin Herrera compiled these reports.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 4, 2007. Read the original PDF.