Deadly Weapon on the Beach
Saturday, August 16 at 1:53 a.m. – 1300 block of the Beach – Officers responded on a call of Assault with a Deadly Weapon and spoke with a group of men and women on the beach who said that a man approached them and tried to instigate a fight with one of the men in the group. The man who had approached them then pulled out a knife, threatened the group, and lunged at the man he had singled out. The group notified police by cell phone, and the suspect, a Los Angeles resident, was apprehended in the area. He was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, and violation of probation. [In case it has not already become obvious from prior reports in this space, the beach late at night is a very dangerous place.]
Attempted Murder on the Pier
Sunday, August 17 at 1:22 a.m. – 300 block of Santa Monica Pier – Officers responded to a call of a stabbing on the Pier and learned that two men were stabbed during a fight. The victims were treated at a local hospital and released. Police stopped a possible suspect vehicle with five male occupants as it was leaving a beach parking lot, and the occupants were positively identified as the stabbing suspects. All five – three men and one juvenile from Los Angeles and one man from Pomona – were arrested for attempted murder, committing a crime in furtherance of a street gang, and violation of probation. [The Pier late at night is dangerous too.]
Handgun in Palisades Park
Sunday, August 17 at 1:30 a.m. – 1500 block of Palisades Park – A man reported being approached by three men who asked what gang he was from as one of them pointed a handgun at him. He replied that he was not involved in gangs, and the three men left the area. The three men were all Hispanics in their mid-20s. One is described as 5’6”, skinny, dark short flat-top hair, thin mustache, wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. The second is described as 5’8”, medium build, mustache, wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants. The third is described only as wearing a blue flannel button-down collared shirt. [Palisades Park late at night as well.]
Then Again
Wednesday, August 20 at 4:23 p.m. – 100 block of Colorado Avenue – Officers responded to a call of Assault and Battery and spoke to a man who said he had been punched in the face after he accidentally bumped into another man as they both walked on the sidewalk. The police detained a suspect matching the description of the puncher in the 1600 block of Ocean Front Walk, and he was positively identified by the victim. The suspect, a transient, was booked for assault and battery. [Then again, danger could be anywhere, at any time – you never know; but there were no deadly weapons involved here, no life put in jeopardy – big difference.]
