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.
THURSDAY, AUG. 28, Santa Monica police officers responded to the 1200 block of the Third Street Promenade — Banana Republic — after receiving a call from security at the clothing store, who had an employee in custody on suspicion of stealing. When officers arrived, they spoke with security who said the employee was using customers receipts to falsely return merchandise for store credit. The employee would then allegedly use the store credit to make personal purchases. Security said the employee started this in June, resulting in a total loss for the store of $3,290.17. The suspect was taken into police custody and booked for embezzlement. He was identified as Michael Konik, 32, from Los Angeles. His bail was set at $20,000.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27, AT 1:51 A.M., Police responded to the 300 block of Santa Monica Boulevard regarding a report of a fight in progress. When officers arrived, they spoke with witnesses who said four male suspects were involved in a fist fight with three cab drivers and vandalized one of the taxi cabs. Three of the four suspects were arrested for vandalism and battery. One suspect was still outstanding as of Thursday. He was described as a male Caucasian, 20 to 25 years old, with a bald head. He was wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans at the time of the incident. The three suspects who were arrested were identified as Nelson Douglas Borgese, 19, of Venice; Jonathan Bandera, 21, of Sun Valley; and Justin Alexander Parvianen, 21, of Los Angeles. Borgese was booked for violation of probation in addition to the other charges. Parvianen was booked for resisting arrest. Bail was set at $20,000 for each suspect.
SATURDAY, AUG. 30, AT 7:35 P.M., Police responded to a rear parking lot in the 2900 block of Main Street after receiving a report of females sitting in a parked car snorting cocaine. When officers arrived, they made contact with three woman in the parking lot. Two were determined to be in possession of a small amount of cocaine. There were arrested and booked for possession of a controlled substance. They were identified as Tanya Nora Barsoumian, 41, of Sherman Oaks, and Maribel Sanchez, 21, of Santa Monica. Sanchez was also booked for a traffic warrant. Her bail was set at $25,000. Bail for Barsoumian was set at $10,000.
SATURDAY, AUG. 30, AT 1 A.M., Police responded to the 1400 block of Ocean Avenue regarding a report of suspicious circumstances. When officers arrived, they spoke to the manager of an apartment building, who said a homeless woman gained entry to an apartment and was staying there while the tenants were out of town. Officers checked the apartment and found a woman lying on a bed in a bedroom. Officers contacted the tenants and learned that the woman was not allowed to be there. She was arrested for burglary. She was identified as Teresa Kennedy, 59, a transient. Her bail was set at $50,000.
SATURDAY, AUG. 30, AT 4:25 P.M., Officers responded to the 1800 block of Wilshire Boulevard — Rite Aid —regarding a shoplifting suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with store employees who said the suspect attempted to steal beer. When confronted, the suspect fought with security guards and attempted to get away. The suspect was detained and placed under citizen’s arrest. The suspect was booked for robbery and violation of probation. No bail was set. The suspect was identified as Stewart Clay Sullivan, 34, a transient.
SATURDAY, AUG. 30, AT 2:30 A.M., Police responded to the 1300 block of Fifth Street regarding a report of vandalism. When officers arrived, witnesses told them that they observed two drunken women kick out the front window to a business. Officers detained the intoxicated women in the area, one of whom had a fresh wound to her leg. Both were booked for public intoxication and felony vandalism. One suspect was identified as Rebecca Lee Tripp, 21, of Santa Monica, and Kamilla Jennings, 22. Bail was set at $20,000.
SUNDAY, AUG. 31, Officers responded to the 3000 block of Main Street after receiving a call about a traffic services officer who was spit on while attempting to give a driver a parking ticket. Officers located the suspect and placed him under arrest for battery. He was identified as Dean Evan Joffe, 30, of Los Angeles. His bail was set at $20,000.
MONDAY, SEPT. 1, AT 5:10 P.M., Officers responded to the 2100 block of Virginia Avenue regarding a report of possible domestic violence in progress. When officers arrived, they made contact with a witness who said they heard a woman yelling, sounding as if she was being assaulted. After speaking with the parties involved, officers determined the woman was the victim of an assault at the hands of her ex-boyfriend. He was arrested and later booked for domestic battery and violation of probation. His bail was set at $20,000. The suspect was identified as Larry Luis, 28, of Santa Monica.
MONDAY, SEPT. 1, AT 10:15 A.M., Officers responded to the 300 block of the Santa Monica Pier regarding a man carrying a knife. When officers arrived, they made contact with a woman who said she was walking when she was approached by the suspect, who had a large knife in his hand. She called the police and the suspect was placed under arrest for exhibiting a deadly weapon and violation of probation. He was identified as Scott Arnold Chinander, 43, a transient. His bail was set at $25,000.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 5, 2008. Read the original PDF.