Crime & Safety
Authorities Investigate Looting Across Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Several agencies are investigating what happened during Sunday's unrest throughout Santa Monica and Los Angeles.
SANTA MONICA, CA — The Los Angeles Police Department Friday announced the formation of a multi-agency "Safe LA Task Force" designed to investigate "significant" crimes committed during the recent civil unrest.
On Tuesday, LAPD Chief Michel Moore "directed Robbery-Homicide Division and Commercial Crimes Division to formulate a SAFE LA Task Force," an LAPD statement said.
"The intended purpose of the SAFE LA Task Force is to conduct criminal investigations for significant crimes during the civil unrest in Los Angeles which started on May 29, 2020," the statement said.
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The task force currently includes personnel from the LAPD, the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, the FBI and Santa Monica Police Department.
"Detectives with the Santa Monica Police Department are following every lead available to apprehend and bring these criminal to justice," Lt. Joseph Cortez told Patch.
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"This includes asking the public to help share social media post and call in with tips and leads," Cortez told Patch.
"Ultimately, persons who committed significant crimes such as looting, burglary, robbery, vandalism, arson and assault with great bodily injury will be held accountable for their actions during the past days," police said.
"The SAFE LA Task Force is asking the media and the public for their assistance to identify suspects involved in the above listed criminal activities," police said.
If anyone has pertinent information, they are urged to call 213-486- 6840. Tipsters may also submit an online tip, video or pictures to SAFELATIPS@lapd.online.
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 800- 222-TIPS or use the website www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Tipsters may also go to www.lapdonline.org and click on "Anonymous Web Tips" under the "Get Involved-Crime Stoppers" menu to submit an online tip.
They may also download the "P3 Tips" mobile app and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.
- City News Service and Patch Staffer Nicole Charky contributed to this report.
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