By Tim Broughton
The Dark Side.
On Tuesday, April 4, at 8:47 p.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department were on routine patrol in the 2000 block of Main Street when they chanced upon a bicyclist who was riding his bicycle during hours of darkness without the required benefit of lighting equipment per the vehicle code that demands such measures. The officers attempted to stop the bicyclist but the bicyclist had other ideas and evaded the officers and pedaled away at a relatively high speed. The officers gave chase but this bicycle rider was determined to escape and rode like a demon displaying evident contempt for his own safety in addition to many traffic laws. The officers, however, had the bit between their teeth and caught this evasive bicyclist at the intersection of Pico Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, whereupon they placed the man under arrest. The officers searched this subject and discovered that he was in possession of narcotics paraphernalia as well as having an outstanding warrant. This 26-year-old Los Angeles resident was taken to jail and charged with resisting a police officer, possession of narcotics paraphernalia and the outstanding warrant. Bail was set at $20,000.
Riding The Evidence.
On Wednesday, April 5, at 4:32 p.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department received a radio call informing them that there was a fight in progress in front of a residence in the 3000 block of Delaware Avenue. The officers rushed to the scene and immediately spotted two individuals engaged in physical combat. The officers exited their vehicle and separated the two fighting men. The officers investigated and discovered that the victim in this instance had been working on his car in the alley to the rear of the 2900 block of Exposition Boulevard with his friend when the victim’s friend spotted the suspect walking in the alley carrying some property that belonged to the victim, namely a skateboard. The friend informed the victim of this and the victim asked the suspect to stop. The suspect responded by mounting the skateboard and skating away to which the victim mounted his bicycle (that was nearby) and gave chase. The victim caught up with the suspect and it was at that time that they began to fight each other. After hearing all the statements made by the victim, the suspect and the friend the officers arrested the alleged skateboard thief and this 27-year-old Mar Vista resident was charged with robbery and possession of narcotics paraphernalia. Bail was set at $50,000.
After School Program?.
On Wednesday, April 5, at 4:07 a.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department received a radio call informing them that a suspect was being detained by an operative from the private security firm, ADT, after the suspect had tripped an alarm while breaking into the John Muir School, located at 2526 Sixth St. The ADT operative had apparently arrived at the scene and discovered the suspect inside a classroom rummaging through various cabinets and desks. Although the suspect, upon spotting the security guard, had attempted to flee the school the ADT operative had overpowered the suspect and subsequently summoned the police. The officers arrested this 35-year-old Los Angeles resident and after searching the man discovered that he was in possession of methamphetamine. This suspect was later charged with burglary and possession of methamphetamine. Bail was set at $20,000.
Skating On Thin Ice.
On Thursday, April 6, at 3:50 p.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department were called out to Clover Park, located at 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., in response to a report of a man brandishing a weapon. Upon arrival at the location the officers met with the victim who told them he had been sitting inside his vehicle at the park getting some rest. He said that the suspect approached him on a skateboard and began to yell racial slurs at him. He added that he exited his car and took a picture of the suspect on his cell phone camera and after he had done this the suspect dismounted his skateboard and began to walk towards him while carrying his skateboard over his shoulder in a threatening manner. The victim said that he was afraid that the suspect was going to attack him with the skateboard and as a deterrent he had produced a knife and displayed it at the suspect. The suspect had at that time backed off so the victim drove away in his car but as he was pulling out of the park the suspect threw the skateboard towards his vehicle causing it to strike the trunk of the vehicle. The victim said that this had caused approximately $2,000 worth of damage to the vehicle. The officers located the suspect and this 29-year-old Van Nuys resident was arrested and charged with vandalism and a hate crime. Bail was set at $20,000.
