Crime Briefs: Street Robbers Leap From Getaway Car on 2nd St.

STREET ROBBERS FLEE FROM POLICE ON SECOND STREET

Two young Los Angeles men suspected in four street robberies were arrested Saturday in Santa Monica after they allegedly jumped out of their getaway car.  

Santa Monica Police Department officers started chasing the two suspects after receiving a report of a robbery by two Hispanic males near Main Street and Bicknell. The two men had reportedly fled in a dark Honda Accord. Later identified by police as Clement Huerta-Cruz, 18, and Omar Davila, 25, they allegedly failed to stop when officers attempted to pull them over.

Police say that both men eventually jumped from the moving car as it headed north on 2nd Street. The Honda was unmanned for about 100 feet and sideswiped three parked cars. The car turned out to be stolen, police said.

Officers ran after and took into custody Huerta-Cruz and Davila, later determined to be responsible for three other street robberies in Los Angeles and one attempted robbery in Los Angeles. Evidence from all the robberies was recovered from the vehicle, police said.

LONG BEACH PAROLEE SUSPECTED IN TWO HOME BURGLARIES

Richard Gene Copp, 54, of Long Beach, was being held on $50,000 bail in connection with two Santa Monica burglaries.

The Santa Monica Police Department reported that forensics have tied Copp to two break-ins, one that occurred shortly after 1 p.m. Nov. 14 in the 1400 block of Washington Avenue. There, the burglar had used a brick to break a window to steal property from inside.

As investigators processed evidence from the scene, a second home burglary occurred in the 1900 block of 6th Street. Police said evidence from both scenes were linked to Copp, who was on parole in Long Beach.

DINES AND DASH REPORTED AT DENNY'S

A homeless man was arrested and held on $30,500 bail after he dined at Denny's on Lincoln Boulevard and dashed into the restaurant's restroom.

The diner's manager called the police after the man, Rufus Goff, 39, finished his meal early in the morning Nov. 23, went into the restaurant’s restroom and never emerged. Officers contacted the Goff inside the restroom and he reportedly admitted that he did not have any money to pay. 

DISMANTLED PARKING METER COST CITY $600

A man who kicked over a parking meter at 302 Pico Boulevard the morning of Nov. 22 reportedly caused $600 in damages.

A witness said the man started kicking the city-owned meter several times for no reason. When it fell to the ground, the suspect walked off toward the bowling alley, where police arrested Robert Sander, 32, homeless, on suspicion of vandalism.

iPHONE NABBED AT MAIN STREET BUS STOP

An iPhone was stolen the afternoon of Nov. 21 at the bus stop near Main and Bay streets by a man later found armed with Airsoft pistol.

The victim told police that he was at the bus stop when a man stepped in front of him and grabbed onto his iPhone. The victim, fearing for his safety, let the phone go and the suspect fled westbound on Bay Street towards the beach.  

Officers checking the area detained a homeless man in Parking Lot No. 4. Identified by the victim and police as Jonathan Lee Atwood, 24, the transient was allegedly in possession of an Airsoft pistol and the victim's phone. Atwood was booked on suspicion of robbery and a probation violation. No bail was given.

EXTENZE STOLEN FROM RITE AID

Police on Sunday arrested a 23 year old Santa Monica man suspected of stealing a male enhancement supplement from the Rite Aid at 1808 Wilshire Boulevard.

The store's security guard told police that the man, later identified as Wayne Anthony Esteen, emptied a box of Extenze into a newspaper and walked out of the story without paying.

When questioned by officers about his age and birth date, he allegedly lied. He was arrested and booked on suspicion of petty theft and providing false identification to officers. Bail was set at $5,000.