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, JULY 24, AT 11:25 P.M. Santa Monica police officers responded to the 1000 block of Third Street regarding a robbery that occurred. When officers arrived they made contact with the victim who said she was walking to her car at the corner of Fourth Street and Idaho Avenue when she was attacked by several men who punched and kicked her before fleeing with her purse. The victim screamed for help and someone called police. After a short foot pursuit, officers detained a group of men matching the description of the suspects. The men were positively identified by the victim and arrested for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. The suspects were identified as Arthur Joseph Ramos, 22, from Los Angeles, and two juveniles, ages 15 and 16, also from Los Angeles. Ramos was also arrested for resisting arrest and for violation of his parole. The 15-year-old was also booked for resisting arrest. The 16-year-old was booked for violation of his probation in addition to the other charges, police said. No bail was set.
MONDAY, JULY 28, AT 3:30 P.M. Officers responded to the 1300 block of the Third Street Promenade — Miss Sixty — regarding a burglary that just occurred. When officers arrived they made contact with a store employee who said three suspects entered the business, one asking for assistance while the other two headed toward the back to browse. When the three left the store, the employee realized that several shirts were missing. The employee called police and gave a description to officers. The suspects were arrested a short time later and positively identified by the clerk. The suspects were arrested for commercial burglary. They were identified as Ronnell Blount, 21, from Los Angeles; Nathaniel Tyrone Cobb, 32, from Los Angeles; and Troy Cole, 29, of Santa Monica. Bail was set at $20,000 for each suspect.
SATURDAY, JULY 26, AT 11:44 P.M. Officers responded to the 1800 block of Wilshire Boulevard — Rite Aid — regarding a report of someone trying to steal a 30-pack of Coors Light beer. When officers arrived they arrested one suspect who was trying to flee the scene. A second suspect was not apprehended. Officers spoke with security at the store who said the suspect was trying to leave the store with the beer when he was confronted by employees. A struggle ensued and the second suspect entered, distracting security just long enough for the two to leave the store. The suspect in custody was identified as Aaron Daniel Kutzin, 19, from Agoura Hills. No bail was set because he was on probation, police said. The second suspect who eluded capture was described as a Hispanic male, 6 feet tall, 160 pounds with a thin mustache and tattoos on both forearms, age 18 to 25.
SUNDAY, JULY 27, AT 2:30 P.M. Officers responded to a radio call of a person who overdosed on drugs in a restroom in the 1300 block of the promenade. When officers arrived they found the suspect hunched over in a restroom stall with drug paraphernalia and a hypodermic needle in his possession. While officers were recovering the evidence they discovered remnants of heroin. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment and then booked for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal possession of a hypodermic needle and possession of stolen property. Officers said the suspect had mail in his bag that was not addressed to him. The suspect was identified as John Wain Sullivan, 32, from Pacific Palisades. No bail was set.
SUNDAY, JULY 27, AT 2:30 P.M. Officers responded to the 1100 block of Lincoln Boulevard — Christine Reed Park — regarding a disturbance call. Officers said someone was seen yelling in the park. When officers arrived they made contact with a person who appeared to be heavily intoxicated. As an officer attempted to handcuff the suspect, the suspect allegedly grabbed the officers fingers, squeezed and then twisted them. The suspect was transported to the Santa Monica Jail to be processed. At that time the suspect grabbed the jailers fingers and did the same thing, police said. The suspect was booked for battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, public intoxication and for violation of probation. He was identified as Juan Hernandez, 47, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $20,000.
THURSDAY, JULY 24, AT 7 P.M. Officers responded to the 1400 block of Third Street — Urban Outfitters — regarding a theft suspect in custody. When officers arrived they made contact with store employees who said the suspect was caught leaving the store with several items of clothing, setting of the theft alarm in the process. Once in custody, security discovered the suspect was in possession of stolen items from Old Navy. The suspect was booked for burglary, possession of stolen property and possession of burglary tools since she was carrying a pair of scissors, which are often used to cut off security tags. The suspect was identified as Celia E. Jensen, 55, of Santa Monica. The merchandise was recovered and valued at over $800. The clothing included several shirts, dresses, sweaters, wallets and belts.
TUESDAY, JULY 22, AT 10:28 P.M. Officers responded to the 1400 block of 24th Street regarding a fight. When they arrived there was no one fighting. Officers observed a person inside a car which was parked in the area. They walked up to the vehicle and smelled the odor of marijuana coming from inside the car. Officers subsequently searched the vehicle and found hashish, which is a concentrated form of marijuana. The suspect was arrested for being in possession of concentrated cannabis. He was identified as Robert Reed Berry, 18, of Santa Monica. His bail was set at $10,000.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 1, 2008. Read the original PDF.