Months after a chaotic night of looting in downtown Santa Monica, police say they have arrested two people tied to the ransacking of the REI store, recovering roughly $2,500 in allegedly stolen outdoor gear.
Investigators report that the arrests stem from a lengthy review of store surveillance video, followed by search warrants served at two Los Angeles addresses.
According to the Santa Monica Mirror, officers executed those search warrants on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, after studying video from the REI at 402 Santa Monica Boulevard. Detectives identified suspects Marques Miles and Misty Jones, recovered approximately $2,500 worth of property, and booked both on burglary and burglary during a state of emergency counts, with bail set at $50,000 each.
Arrests and Booking Details
A report by CBS Los Angeles notes that the warrants were served at two Los Angeles residences after officers matched individuals seen on the store footage. CBS Los Angeles states that both suspects were booked on suspicion of burglary under Penal Code 459 and burglary during a state of emergency under Penal Code 463(a).
Investigation Tied to May 31 Unrest
The REI looting unfolded on May 31, 2020, during protests that turned into widespread theft across downtown Santa Monica, captured extensively in same-day coverage. As detailed by Patch, detectives spent weeks combing through surveillance video and social media posts connected to the unrest. The Sept. 17 search warrants were part of that continuing follow up work.
What the Charges Mean
Under California law, burglary is charged under Penal Code 459, which defines the crime as entering a structure with the intent to commit theft or another felony, according to Justia. The looting enhancement in Penal Code 463, which applies when theft or burglary occurs during a declared state or local emergency, is set out on the official California Legislature site and carries increased penalties.
Anyone with information about the REI looting is asked to contact Sgt. Artis Williams at (310) 458-8475 or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491, according to the Santa Monica Mirror. Police say the investigation is still active as detectives continue to chase leads.
The REI at 402 Santa Monica Boulevard remains a highly visible reminder of that night, and of how long some cases linger. These latest arrests, officials point out, came only after a slow grind of evidence gathering from hours of video and online posts, as detectives continue to pursue suspects linked to the May 31 unrest.
