Briefs: Screw Used in Attempted Stabbing

A passerby was nearly stabbed in the eye and torso with a 4-inch screw near Crescent Bay Park earlier this week, police said.

The homeless man who allegedly wielded the small weapon, identified by police as Clarence Young Ray, 61, was later Tased and jailed. He is now being held in lieu of $70,000, according to jail records.

Police said that Ray approached several people Monday evening near Ocean and Bicknell avenues and demanded money. When they told him that they didn't have any change, he allegedly whipped out the metal screw and tried to stab one of them, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

"A struggle ensued and the victims were able to get away and call police," Sgt. Richard Lewis said.

When officers arrived and attempted to intervene, Ray reportedly refused to show his hands, and one point, turned toward them with his hands still hidden. That's when one of the officers activated a X26 Taser, "which had very little effect on the suspect," Lewis said.

"Officers then took the suspect to the ground and [there was a] brief struggle," he said.

Ray was arrested after being cleared at a local hospital. He was booked suspicion of attempted robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and resisting an officer.

Crime Briefs

Assault: A discussion about finances turned violent for one Santa Monica couple when the wife began throwing objects, and grabbed a 14-inch knife from the kitchen.

The couple's talk turned sour at about 10 a.m. Jan. 17 at their apartment in the 900 block of Seventh Street.  The man called 911, but his wife, Lejing Han, 49, reportedly knocked the phone out of his hand and hung it up. He was able to wrestle the knife away as officers arrived.

Lejing was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and damage of a wireless communication device.

Wine Theft: A woman from Hawaii was arrested after she allegedly tried to steal a bottle of wine, which she reportedly hid in her sweatshirt, from the Whole Foods at 522 Wilshire Blvd. Over the course of an hour the night of Jan. 19, Kiera Anjelina allegedly tried to conceal several items in two bags.

Police said when she noticed she was being watched, she ran outside, but was detained by witnesses. She was arrested on suspicion of burglary. Bail was set at $20,000.

Possession of a Dagger: Police say they uncovered a 6-inch, double-edged dagger and burglary tools while searching a homeless man Friday afternoon outside the Jack in the Box on Lincoln Boulevard.

Officers approached the man, Carlos Joaquin Vidal, 40, for an alleged smoking violation. Police say Vidal, who also had a warrant out for his arrest, consented to the subsequent search. He was arrested on suspicion of possessing burglary tools, a dagger and for being the under the influence.

Drunk in Public: After reportedly running through traffic in the 24000 block of Lincoln Boulevard on Sunday, a homeless man allegedly threatened to kill police officers. As they attempted to handcuff the man, 50-year-old Larry Scott Bell, officers Tased him one time for being aggressive and allegedly failing to resist arrest. Bell was taken to a local hospital and booked into jail on suspicion of public intoxication and resisting a police officer.