July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Alert Police Blotter Bonus

By Tim Broughton

Speed Walking.

On Wednesday, January 10, at 2 a.m. officers of the Santa Monica Police Department received a radio call informing them that a suspicious person was trespassing at an apartment building located in the 600 block of Santa Monica Boulevard. The officers drove to the location and spoke with the reporting party who happened to be the security guard at the complex. The security guard told the officers that the suspect had been loitering inside the apartment building and that he didn’t have any business being at the complex. The security guard furnished the officers with a detailed description of the suspect and also told the officers the direction in which the man had headed. The officers went in search of the man and discovered him walking briskly in the area of Seventh Street and Santa Monica Boulevard. The security guard had informed the officers that as an ambassador for the apartment building he was desirous of a prosecution for trespass. The suspect was detained and searched and the officers discovered that this man was in possession of several “baggies” of methamphetamine, or “speed.” The officers arrested this 56-year-old resident of San Pedro and he was later charged with trespass without consent, prowling and possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell. Bail was set at $30,000,

Slender James.

On Thursday, January 11, at 8:29 p.m. a Community Service Officer (CSO) was on patrol in Parking Structure Number Four, located at 1321 Second St., when he spotted two suspicious looking characters hanging around in the structure. The CSO studied these two individuals and as he was doing so one of these men ran away while the other stayed inside the parking structure. The CSO used his radio to summon the assistance of Santa Monica Police Officers who, upon receiving the request hastened to the scene. The officers detained the suspicious man inside the parking structure. The officers asked this man for some identification and the man was unable to produce any form of identification so the officers searched the man and discovered that he was in possession of a flashlight, a “slim Jim” (A slim Jim, or more technically known as a lockout tool, is a thin strip of metal roughly 24 inches long and about 0.79–1.57 in wide. Slim Jims are used to unlock automobile doors without use of a key. It acts directly on the levers and interconnecting rods that operate the door, completely avoiding the complexity of dealing with the lock mechanism itself. The hooked end of the tool is slipped between a car’s window and the rubber seal, catching the rods that connect to the lock mechanism. With careful manipulation, the door can be opened) as well as a methamphetamine smoking pipe. This was all the evidence the officers needed to arrest this 53-year-old man from Rosemead and he was later charged with loitering in a City Parking Structure, possession of narcotics paraphernalia and possession of burglary tools. Bail was set at $500.

From One-Many.

On Friday, January 12, at 4:26 p.m. officers were on routine patrol in the area of the 1400 block of Fourth Street when they saw a man riding his bicycle on the sidewalk. This is a flagrant violation of a Santa Monica Municipal Code so the officers stopped the suspected criminal. The officers chatted with this man for a few minutes and during the chat the officers discovered that this man was on active probation with search conditions for grand theft. The officers thus performed a probation search and discovered a treasure trove of suspicious and potentially illegal items. These items consisted of two knives, including one switchblade knife, methamphetamine, a methamphetamine smoking pipe, a credit card and identification belonging to another person. The officers arrested this 37-year-old Santa Monica resident and he was later charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, possession of a switchblade knife, misappropriation of lost property, and last but not least, riding a bicycle on the sidewalk. Bail was set at $1,000.

Apb

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.

<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...