SMPD Arrests Two Suspects for George Floyd Looting of REI Store

The Santa Monica Police Department has announced the arrest of two suspects in the looting of the REI store in downtown Santa Monica, following the George Floyd riots.

SMPD was heavily criticized for failure to prevent looting the evening of May 31, 2020 in downtown Santa Monica. Police chief Cynthia Renaud has replied that she had about 100 officers on duty that evening, and half of them were assigned to prevent the destruction of the Santa Monica pier, perhaps by fire.

The official press release from Lt. Joseph Cortez follows.

On Thursday September 17, 2020, officers from the Santa Monica Police Department served search warrants at two locations within the City of Los Angeles. The search warrants were related to looting activity during the civil unrest in Santa Monica on May 31, 2020. Officers monitored video footage from REI, located at 402 Santa Monica, and observed two individuals stealing items from the store. Officers were able to identify two subjects, Marques Miles and Misty Jones (both residents of Los Angeles) during the investigation. Officers obtained warrants to search the residences of both subjects and recovered approximately $2,500 worth of property stolen from REI. Both Milers and Jones were arrested and booked for Burglary (459 PC) and Burglary during State of Emergency (463 (a) PC). Bail was set at $50,000 each.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to contact Sergeant Artis Williams at (310) 458-8475; or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.