Tag: felony

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department indicated in an email to Canyon News that a suspect has been arrested connected to felony battery and a strong-arm robbery that transpired on Tuesday, September 19.

Authorities indicated at about 3:30 p.m., officers responded to a call of a battery that just occurred in Palisades Park near the intersection with Santa Monica Boulevard. Officers located the victim of the battery down on the ground and suffering from injuries to his face and head. A suspect description and direction of travel were broadcasted to other responding officers.

According to statements from the victim and witnesses, the victim was recording video of Palisades Park on his cell phone when he focused the camera on the suspect. According to the SMPD, the suspect was currently experiencing homelessness and laying on the ground in the park. The suspect did not want to be filmed and stood up to confront the victim, demanding he stop recording. The suspect struck the victim at least one time in the face, knocking him to the ground and took the victim’s phone, which fell to the ground before fleeing the scene.

Officers located the suspect, identified as Tyler Jordan Keating, 35, and the victim’s nearby. He was arrested for felony battery, robbery, and elder abuse and booked into the Santa Monica Jail where he is being held. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney for filing.

The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Anyone with details on the incident is asked to contact Detective Davis at stephanie.davis@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Goodwin at chad.goodwin@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—A suspect has been arrested connected to a hit-and-run that occurred on Wednesday, September 20, the Santa Monica Police Department announced. Authorities reported at approximately 11:20 pm, officers spotted a vehicle run a red light near the 700 block of Montana Avenue. The driver of the vehicle failed to yield to officers and committed additional traffic violations while driving recklessly for several blocks before colliding with a vehicle at 7th and Wilshire Boulevard.

The driver did not stop after the collision, continuing to drive down the Pier ramp and into the Newcomb Lot. The vehicle pursuit terminated when the driver was boxed in near the Carousel building on the Pier.

The driver, later identified as Nehemias Rivera-Menjivar, 21, from Wilmington, CA, exited the stopped vehicle, and attempted to flee on foot. An officer deployed a taser which did not halt Rivera-Menjivar. After repeated demands, Riveria-Menjivar was taken into custody without further incident.

During the subsequent investigation, it was determined that the vehicle driven by Rivera-Menjivar was stolen from an address in Long Beach. The driver admitted to using marijuana.

Riveria-Menjivar was booked for multiple violations including: 20001(a) CVC – Felony Hit and Run; 23104(a) CVC – Reckless Driving; 2800.2(a) CVC – Felony Evading Police; 23153 (f) CVC- Felony DUI (Marijuana); and 148(a)(1) PC – Resisting and Obstructing Arrest

Anyone with details is asked to contact Sergeant Krueger at nick.krueger@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor