Wednesday's morning rush on Lincoln Boulevard took a violent turn when two armed robbers stormed Smoke World, and one opened fire, hitting an employee in the leg. A responding Santa Monica police officer applied a tourniquet on the shop floor, and the wounded worker was taken to a hospital for treatment. The suspects took off in a dark-gray Dodge Charger heading south on Lincoln, and investigators said they did not believe the pair stuck around the immediate area. The holdup happened at about 8:13 a.m. inside the store.
Officers raced to Smoke World at 1914 Lincoln Blvd. after getting calls about an armed robbery and found the injured employee inside. Detectives are now working to identify the two suspects and are combing through available video evidence. Police are asking anyone with tips or footage to contact investigators and are reminding the public not to confront the suspects or the vehicle, as reported by the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Police Say Investigators Are Looking For Video
Detectives are urging nearby residents, workers, and anyone who was passing through the area to scroll back through their phones, doorbell cameras and business surveillance systems for anything that might help identify the suspects or the getaway car. The department has also turned to its SMART Center, a network of cameras and automated license-plate readers that can speed up retail-crime investigations. That system, backed by state funding, was credited with helping police catch an armed-robbery suspect earlier this year and is part of Santa Monica's broader push to clamp down on store hold-ups, according to NBC Los Angeles.
How To Help
Anyone with information, video or other potential evidence is asked to contact Detective Martin Jauregui at [email protected] or call the Santa Monica Police Department watch commander at (310) 458-8427. Police are urging people to call 9-1-1 if they spot the vehicle and not to approach any suspects. Detectives say they are still reviewing footage and following leads to track down those responsible, per Santa Monica Daily Press.
