By BY DAILY PRESS STAFF Staff Writer KEVIN HERRERA compiled these reports
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.
Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 3:45 p.m.
Santa Monica Police officers responded to the 300 block of Colorado Avenue — Macy’s — regarding a robbery suspect in custody. When officers arrived, security guards from the department store said they observed the suspect walk into the store and grab several pairs of panties from a clothing rack and then stuff them into a Styrofoam cup. She then left the store. When outside, security confronted the suspect, who tried to fight with them. Eventually, she was detained and arrested by police for robbery. Police said the crime turned from shoplifting into a robbery when the woman fought with security. She was identified as Cynthia Renee Schroeder, 46, a transient. Her bail was set at $50,000.
Friday, Sept. 21, at 6:10 p.m.
Officers responded to the 2600 block of Main Street — Joe’s Diner — after receiving a report about a burglary that just occurred. When officers arrived, they spoke with employees at the restaurant who said that a customer ordered two cheeseburgers and two beers valued at $25, sat and ate, then refused to pay the bill. Employees said the customer told them he had no money and had no intention of paying for the food and drinks. Officers placed the customer under arrest and did a background check, which is when they discovered that the suspect had been arrested previously for defrauding an innkeeper. The suspect was identified as Kava Mataele, 36, a transient. His bail was set at $20,000.
Sunday, Sept. 9, at 5:10 p.m.
Officers responded to the 500 block of San Vicente Boulevard regarding a report that someone had broken into several cars parked in a subterranean garage. Once on the scene, officers collected fingerprints and took photos of a footprint, which proved to be a valuable clue. Officers used the prints to identify the suspect, who was arrested for grand theft on Thursday, Sept. 20. He was identified as Edwin Becerra, 26. No bail information was available for this report.
Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m.
Officers responded to the 1300 block of Wilshire Boulevard — Vons — regarding a shoplifting suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they spoke with store security, who said a man walked into the store carrying a brown paper bag that appeared to be empty. Security watched as the man walked to a liquor cabinet and grabbed a $22 bottle of gin. The man then walked to another part of the store and placed the bottle into the paper bag. He then walked out without paying for the item. Once outside the store, security detained the man and called police. The suspect was arrested for shoplifting. He was identified as Darren Dwayne King, 47, from Los Angeles. No bail was set because King was on probation and had three outstanding warrants, police said.
Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 5:25 a.m.
Officers on routine patrol near the 2030 Beach Lot noticed a man who had set up a small campsite in violation of the city’s anti-camping law. Officers recognized the man from previous contacts for the same violation. Officers said the man was using a Styrofoam pad for a mattress and had several blankets and pillows spread out. Officers said the man was also in possession of a stolen credit card. He was arrested for possession of lost or stolen property. The suspect was identified as Brandon Cleavenger, 25, a transient. His bail was set at $10,000.
Sunday, Sept. 16, at 9:35 p.m.
Officers on routine patrol in the 200 block of Bicknell Street noticed a driver make an unsafe turn. Officers conducted a traffic stop and ran the drivers’ license, discovering that he had a $35,000 misdemeanor warrant. Officers placed the driver under arrest and searched the vehicle. They discovered a fanny pack with drug paraphernalia, including syringes, and a small amount of cocaine, a prescription bottle filled with different pills and a small amount of heroin. The suspect was identified Mark Rocco, 41, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $45,000.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 28, 2007. Read the original PDF.