On the evening of Thursday, February 8, at approximately 2:30 a.m. the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) responded to a 911 call regarding a burglary attempt at the RealReal retail fashion store at 200 26th Street.
According to Lieutenant Erika Aklufi of the SMPD, the first officers on scene observed the suspects fleeing the area and a foot pursuit ensued. Three suspects were apprehended nearby. Officers established a perimeter and with the help of K9 officers and air support from the Los Angeles Police Department, two additional suspects were also taken into custody.
The following individuals were booked for attempted burglary and resisting arrest:
Ryan Sims of Los Angeles (18 years old)
Julio Mendoza of Los Angeles (18 years old)
Isaiah Lloyd of Los Angeles (18 years old)
Mikel Nicholson of Carson (19 years old)
A juvenile who was cited and released
In an email to the Board and residents of the North of Montana Association (NOMA), Police Chief Ramon Batista said, “The report indicated that multiple subjects were actively attempting to break into the retail business. The burglary attempt was foiled due to the quick handling and dispatching of the call by OEM/911 dispatchers, followed by our officers’ timely and coordinated response.”
Just 10 weeks ago, SMPD officers were called to the same location on November 27, at about 10:55 a.m. after four masked suspects entered the luxury resale store and forced their way past the front door security. Once inside, they used hammers to smash multiple display cases containing brand-name purses worth over $50,000. The suspects then fled the scene in a waiting vehicle.
Batista is set to present the 2023 annual crime report update to City Council this evening (Tuesday). During the City Council meeting on September 12 of last year, he declared that the rate of serious crime in Santa Monica had now returned to pre-pandemic levels as he presented the Council with an analysis of recent crime statistics comparing the first eight months of 2023 to previous years.
Moreover, just 10 days ago, Los Angeles County, District Attorney George Gascón announced that “approximately 200” organized retail theft cases involving adult and juvenile defendants have been filed by the office.
In August 2023, a rise in organized retail thefts prompted SMPD to join the Los Angeles Police Department in the formation of the Los Angeles County Organized Retail Crime Taskforce. This taskforce combines resources from various agencies to investigate and prosecute the organized retail theft rings that are frequently behind these crimes.
“At the onset of the high-profile retail theft cases in LA County last year, the Santa Monica Police Department preemptively joined the LAPD Retail Theft Task Force (TF) to bolster our resources and strengthen our investigative ability. Although Santa Monica had been spared of the scenes that unfolded in retail shopping centers in neighboring jurisdictions, we recognized the interrelated nature of these crimes/suspects,” Batista said in the email.
“Thus far, the SMPD relationship with the LAPD TF has proven successful across LA County and Santa Monica. The work of determining our suspect’s motives and/or any prior contacts in Santa Monica or neighboring jurisdictions is ongoing.”
Anyone with information related to this individual or incident is encouraged to
contact Detective Isaac Reyes or Detective Sergeant Lozano or the Watch
Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.
scott.snowden@smdp.com