An investigation that began when Santa Monica police spotted suspicious activity during a catalytic converter operation ended days later with multiple arrests, the recovery of three loaded firearms and the discovery that a vehicle had been stolen in an armed carjacking.
On Aug. 25, officers spotted a previously observed black Audi near Ocean Avenue. A short time later, they found the car after it crashed near 2nd Street and Colorado Avenue. Several occupants ran from the vehicle, prompting a coordinated response that led officers to locate and detain those involved.
The investigation then took an unexpected turn. After the occupants fled, an individual not associated with them approached the abandoned Audi, took a black backpack from inside and ran.
Using SMART Center resources, officers tracked the individual as he discarded the backpack in a nearby alley. A second person, also unconnected to the vehicle's occupants, picked up the backpack and tried to conceal it at a nearby construction site.
Officers recovered the backpack and found three loaded handguns inside, including two unserialized "ghost guns." The person who tried to hide the backpack was taken into custody.
The Audi was later confirmed stolen in an armed carjacking being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart Division.
Four people associated with the Audi were taken into custody, including two juveniles.
Police credited alert officers, SMART Center technology and regional partnerships for the arrests.
Edited by SMDP Staff