A 26-year-old man was arrested Sunday after allegedly pointing a firearm at employees during a robbery attempt at a Santa Monica convenience store, police said.
David Ramirez was booked on suspicion of robbery after the incident at a 7-Eleven in the 1800 block of Lincoln Boulevard, which occurred at approximately 4:17 p.m. March 16, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
Officers said Ramirez attempted to steal merchandise and was confronted by store employees. He then produced a firearm and pointed it at employees before fleeing the area, police said.
Officers responded quickly and, with assistance from the department's SMART Center, tracked the suspect's movements before locating Ramirez in the area of 6th Street and Grant Street. He was taken into custody following a brief detention. Officers recovered a firearm believed to have been used in the incident.
The arrest was part of a high intensity weekend for SMPD that included a shooting on the Santa Monica Pier and increased visitors to the city due to the regional heat wave. While the weather drove more foot traffic to Santa Monica, the department has been increasing arrests regardless of the temperature.
According to the most recent Blue Notebook update from the department, all areas of the city have seen police activity in the last week.
In Beat 1, covering the pier, beach and Promenade, officers responded to 2,698 calls for service and conducted 114 arrests during the reporting period. Officers also arrested a suspect following a foot pursuit after he allegedly struck a convenience store employee with a stick. In a separate incident, SMART Center operators helped officers locate a stolen U-Haul truck, leading to the arrest of two suspects on charges of operating a stolen vehicle.
In Beat 3, homeless outreach and enforcement officers responded to 262 radio calls, conducted 221 self-initiated contacts, addressed 12 encampments, made 23 arrests and issued 31 citations. Officers also assisted a Santa Monica native experiencing homelessness with placement into Samuel Shell temporary housing, where he is working toward a permanent housing situation.
Beat 2 officers conducted 486 traffic stops and issued 353 citations as part of ongoing traffic safety efforts. During a traffic stop near the Main Street area, officers discovered a concealed, loaded ghost gun inside a vehicle. The owner admitted the weapon was his and was arrested without incident.
Officers also conducted a grant-funded distracted driving operation that resulted in 38 citations, 24 of which were for cell phone use.
In Beat 4, community engagement officers met with neighborhood and business groups and conducted security assessments. Officers also played soccer with the Autobon Soccer Club at Lincoln Middle School and kickball with students from Franklin Elementary as part of youth outreach efforts.
The department's next community event is Wagwatch at Douglas Park on March 25 at 6 p.m.
The investigation into Sunday's robbery remains active, police said.