Crime Briefs: Vengeful Driver Hits Church

Still fuming over a "heated argument" at a weekly food distribution for the needy, a Santa Monica woman allegedly tried to run over a man and ended up crashing her van into a church, the Santa Monica Police Department reported.

The 60-year-old woman, Margaret Olson, was charged Tuesday of one count of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the incident. She is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail, according to court and jail records.

The alleged victim told police that at about 5 a.m. Feb. 26, he was lying on the grass at the , when he recognized the woman, identified as Olson, drive by. He said he took a picture of her, and when they made eye contact, "she suddenly turned the van in his direction and accelerated up onto the curb/sidewalk and attempted to run him over. "

"The victim added that the two of them had got into a heated argument a couple of weeks back over who got to the food line first," said police Sgt. Richard Lewis.

The man reportedly moved out of the way and the woman crashed into the church wall, then backed up and tried to strike him while driving in reverse, but missed.

Police found Olson a week later and arrested her on suspicion of attempted murder, but prosecutors filed a lesser charge of assault.

CRIME BRIEFS

Domestic Violence: After a night out, a man reportedly returned home March 1 to the 1400 block of 21st Street to an upset wife, who, after an argument, threw household items at him. She allegedly struck him several times, causing minor injuries. She also allegedly ransacked the home.

The woman, Marie Dawn McKay, 50, was arrested on suspicion of corporal injury on a spouse.

Hotel Trespassing: A Texas woman was arrested Feb. 28 after she allegedly refused to pay for a two nights of stay at the Holiday Inn at 120 Colorado Ave. According to police, Crystal Ransom was already staying at the hotel and had paid for two nights, but when she tried to reserve the room for additional time, her credit card was declined and she stayed anyway. Ransom, 29, was arrested on suspicion of defrauding an innkeeper and trespassing.