Santa Monica police say a high-tech command hub helped officers quickly track down a man accused of flashing a gun inside a Lincoln Boulevard 7-Eleven on Monday afternoon. Officers identified the suspect as 26-year-old David Ramirez and arrested him near 6th Street and Grant Street after a brief foot search, according to the department, which says store employees had confronted the suspect before he ran.
SMART Center and the state grant
The department’s SMART Center ties together closed-circuit cameras, automated license-plate readers, and unmanned aircraft systems so investigators can tap into live data feeds, according to the City of Santa Monica. The city says the program received a $6.125 million state grant in September 2023 to step up the fight against organized retail theft. Police Chief Ramon Batista has cast the funding as support for “targeted, innovative, and technology-based efforts” meant to protect local businesses.
How police say the arrest unfolded
According to NBC Los Angeles, officers say Ramirez entered the 7-Eleven around 4:15 p.m., tried to steal merchandise, and then pointed a handgun at employees before taking off. Police say staff working inside the SMART Center monitored camera feeds and used automated data tools to guide officers to the area where they arrested Ramirez.
Drone footage, ALPRs, and privacy questions
SMPD’s use of drones and real-time video fits into a wider regional shift toward high-tech policing. The Los Angeles Times has documented earlier incidents in which Santa Monica officers relied on drone footage to track suspects. At the same time, digital-rights advocates argue that growing drone programs and automated license-plate-reader networks raise serious concerns about privacy and public transparency, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
What comes next
Police have not yet said whether Ramirez has been formally charged; NBC Los Angeles reported the arrest but noted there was no update on charges at the time of publication. Investigators say the SMART Center is intended to speed up cases like this and boost public safety as the department continues its review of what happened inside and outside the Lincoln Boulevard store.
