This case began back on Friday, Dec. 16 when officers of the Santa Monica Police Department went to the BevMo! at 3212 Wilshire Boulevard in response to a theft report.
A large man (6’ 7” 275 easy) had entered the store and was recognized by employees as being the same man who had taken about $350 worth of wine from the store without paying on Saturday, Nov. 26.
The employees did not apprehend him at that time because of his size, and because had he said he would hurt anyone who tried to stop him. Employees obtained his license plate number as he had sped away and they called police.
On Thursday, Dec. 22 as officers drove to the man’s home, they spotted him driving in the 2400 block of Ocean Park Boulevard and conducted a traffic stop. The officers arrested the large, 53-year-old man, who was actually homeless, and he was charged with robbery, a parole violation, and a pair of outstanding warrants. His bail was set at $57,500.
Editor’s Note: These reports are part of a regular police coverage series entitled “Alert Police Blotter” (APB), which injects some minor editorial into certain police activities in Santa Monica. Not all of the Mirror’s coverage of incidents involving police are portrayed in this manner. More serious crimes and police-related activities are regularly reported without editorial in the pages of the Santa Monica Mirror and its website, smmirror.com.
