Grand theft in the library, missing licenses on the streets

On Tuesday, Gianni Manganelli, a deaf student, was stopped by the Santa Monica College Police Department for skateboarding on campus. Manganelli was confused by the situation and demanded an interpreter. A representative from a campus disability services group acted as his interpreter, and he was not charged.

Friday afternoon at the library proved to be an unlucky day for a student who left a Macbook Pro laptop unattended and is now missing the apple of his eye. No one saw the suspect take the laptop, but students did see a suspicious individual circling the area as if surveying the space.

The theft occurred on the east side of the second floor of the library. The value of the 17-inch Apple laptop is estimated at $4,000. If caught, Romano said the suspect could potentially be charged with burglary and grand theft.

Romano also confirmed that if the suspect is a student charged with grand theft, he or she, “even though rarely done, could be expelled.”

A case of petty theft occurred just before 7 p.m. last Tuesday afternoon in the Santa Monica College library. A Jansport backpack was stolen containing the victim’s personal items. A friend of the victim was holding the victim’s bag while the victim went to the cafeteria. Forgetting the bag, the victim’s friend returned after two minutes only to find it missing. There were no witnesses.

Just before 4 p.m. in the campus Parking Structure Three, a reckless student driver was observed by police on foot patrol and was found to be driving without a license.

There has been an increase in traffic enforcement along Pico Boulevard as a result of an increase in motorcycle accidents, many of which have involved SMC students, according to Sgt. Jere Romano.

The nine areas of patrol include Emeritus, Performing Arts Center, Academy of Entertainment and Technology, Bundy, Airport, 2714 Pico Blvd., 1510 Pico Blvd., 1516 Pico Blvd., as well as Parking Lot Six.