By Tim Broughton
He Was Framed.
On Wednesday, April 26, at 10:45 a.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department were called out to investigate a report of a fight that was in progress at 1905 Pico Blvd. The officers, whilst en route, were told that the two individuals involved in the fight were neighbors who knew each other. When the officers arrived at the location they learned that the suspect in this case had fled the scene in order to avoid arrest, so the officers spoke with the victim and other witnesses. The officers discovered that the fight had initially begun as a conversation that had rapidly deteriorated into and argument that had descended into physical combat. The officers were told that the suspect had picked up a metal broom handle and attacked the victim with this improvised weapon, striking him on the arm as the victim attempted to block the assault. The victim wrestled the metal broom handle away from the suspect but the suspect then retrieved an old bicycle frame that was bereft of wheels. The suspect swung the bicycle frame at the victim and, in fear of his life, the victim had run away from the scene. A few hours later the officers received a call informing them that the suspect had returned to the building so they hastened to the location and arrested the suspect, aged 48 and from Santa Monica, and he was later charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Bail was set at $30,000.
Two Wrongs Do Not Make A Right Part One.
On Sunday, April 23, at 4:15 p.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department were called out to the Pavilions Motel, located at 2338 Ocean Park Blvd. in order to investigate a report of an assault that had occurred at the motel. When the officers arrived at the location they spoke with the victim, who was an employee of the motel. The victim told the officers that a man, who had been staying at the motel, had returned to the business and that he (the victim) had exited the motel’s office and had confronted the suspect about a non-specified issue. He said that the suspect had responded to this confrontation by charging at him and punching him 15 to 20 times in the face, utilizing both fists with which to commit the assault. The victim added that while the suspect was punching him the suspect had yelled, “I’m going to kill you!” The suspect had then ran away from the business in order to avoid the police. The assault had been recorded on security video and the officers reviewed the recording prior to leaving the motel. The following day the suspect returned to the motel and the victim called the police who quickly returned and arrested the suspect. This 26-year-old homeless man was later charged with battery and making criminal threats. Bail was set at $50,000.
Two Wrongs Do Not Make A Right Part Two.
On Monday, April 24, at 6:00 a.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department were called out to investigate a car accident in the area on the intersection of 28th Street and Ocean Park Boulevard. The officers were told that the single vehicle involved in the accident had rolled over after it had collided with the median on Ocean Park Boulevard. When the officers arrived at the scene they spoke with the driver of the vehicle who said that he had been driving down Ocean Park Boulevard when he had spotted a man who the day before had punched him in the face 15 to 20 times at the Pavilions Motel. The driver added that when he had spotted this alleged assailant walking on the sidewalk he had become enraged and had swerved with the deliberate intention of driving his car into the man. He said that his car had struck a lamppost instead of the intended victim and as a result his vehicle had overturned. The driver of the vehicle was taken to a local hospital where he was checked and released. This 53-year-old resident of Santa Monica was later arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Bail was not granted.
