On Aug. 4 at about 12:42 p.m., Santa Monica police officers responded to a radio call for service at Bloomingdale's, 315 Colorado Ave., regarding a theft suspect in custody.
Officers determined the suspect entered the store and was recognized by employees as being a theft suspect a few days ago. Employees alerted the store's loss-prevention agents.
Agents monitored the suspect as he selected several items from the sales floor and ran out onto the street without paying for the items. Agents stopped the suspect outside and attempted to detain him. The suspect fled the area.
The suspect was detained by Santa Monica Place security personnel near Ocean Avenue and Broadway. All items taken, valued at approximately $900, were recovered.
Ruben James Wells 33, of Pasadena, was arrested for shoplifting. Bail was set at $5,000.
Note: Crime Watch is culled from reports provided by the Santa Monica Police Department. These are arrests only. All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
