On Saturday, January 30 10:25 a.m.
SMPD Officers responded to a call of a Theft occurring at REI. Upon arrival, Officers spoke to REI’s Loss Prevention Officer and were told that she had observed a transient individual grab a backpack and begin stuffing random items into it. After watching the Suspect for some time, Loss Prevention approached him and asked for the items back. The Suspect then ran out through the emergency exit, taking the backpack with him. Officers located the Suspect nearby and found the stolen items hidden in a building alcove a few feet away from the Suspect. Elijah Muntez Phillips was arrested for a 459.5PC- Shoplifting. Phillips was transported to Santa Monica jail and later released with a citation.
