Another 2 Suspects Arrested For REI Looting In May: Police

SANTA MONICA, CA — Ongoing investigation into Santa Monica store lootings during civil unrest in May led to the recent arrests of two additional suspects and the recovery of $2,500 of merchandise stolen from REI, according to officials.

Marques Miles and Misty Jones, both from Los Angeles, were arrested after search warrants were served Sept. 17 at two Los Angeles locations, the Santa Monica Police Department said Friday.

"Officers monitored video footage from REI, located at 402 Santa Monica (Blvd.), and observed two individuals stealing items from the store," police said.

Follow-up warrants to search the suspects' residences found approximately $2,500 of property swiped from REI during the May 31 incident, officials said.

In July, Santa Monica police said detectives were devoting hours to reviewing surveillance videos and social-media posts tied to the May 31 lootings of such stores as REI on Santa Monica Boulevard and Vans on Broadway. The recent arrests bring to the total at least eight cuffed for the night's crimes.

Two arrests were made in early July in connection with the case when a vehicle, identified via a social-media post, was stopped in Manhattan Beach. Four additional suspects were arrested a few days later for alleged looting at Patagonia on 4th Street.

Milers and Jones were booked on $50,000 bail each for suspicion of burglary and suspicion of burglary during a state of emergency, police said.

"The Santa Monica Police Department continues to dedicate resources to identify and arrest those involved in the crimes committed in our community on May 31st, 2020," the agency said.

Anyone with additional information on the investigations can contact Sgt. Artis Williams at (310) 458-8475 or the Santa Monica PD at (310) 458-8491.

• ALSO SEE: Arrest Made In Elderly Man's Violent, Westside Carjacking