Santa Monica police arrested two suspects in connection with an armed robbery and shooting at Smoke World, a tobacco shop at Lincoln Boulevard and Pico Boulevard, according to the department's weekly activity report published Tuesday, July 7.

During the week of June 21–27, two armed suspects entered the store, demanded cigarettes, and shot an employee in the upper leg. Two days later, California Highway Patrol located the suspect vehicle and initiated a brief pursuit. Both suspects were taken into custody after throwing two firearms from the car, allowing officers to recover both weapons.

The Smoke World case accounted for two of the 92 arrests SMPD made during the seven-day period, which also saw 2,299 calls for service.

Year-to-date arrests up 70.5%

Through Saturday, June 27, SMPD had made 2,558 arrests in 2026 compared to 1,500 during the same period in 2025. That 70.5% increase has held steady for weeks: the department reported a 71.4% year-over-year jump through June 20 and 71.1% through June 13, according to prior weekly reports.

Year-to-date calls for service stood at 64,165, up 9.1% from 58,831 over the same stretch in 2025.

Other notable incidents

Officers recovered an unregistered firearm with a 15-round magazine from a vehicle parked along a red curb at Appian Way and Pacific Terrace after smelling marijuana and spotting the weapon in the driver-side door panel. The driver was arrested.

SMPD's K9 unit located a vehicle wanted in connection with an armed robbery out of Whittier. A high-risk traffic stop was conducted, and Whittier police took custody of the driver.

The Crime Impact Team arrested a suspect connected to a prior stabbing at Circle Bar. The suspect was found with individually packaged cocaine and a digital scale.

Traffic enforcement and crashes

Traffic officers made 180 stops during the week, issuing 109 citations and 70 advisals.

In the 1600 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, a driver struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk. The elderly driver remained on scene and was referred to the DMV for re-examination.

At 1400 Wilshire Boulevard, officers used video and in-car camera footage to identify a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run that left a pedestrian with a severe leg injury. The driver was arrested on a felony hit-and-run charge.

In the 1400 block of 21st Street, a driver ran over a traffic services officer's foot while fleeing a routine disabled-placard contact. Officers used body-worn camera footage and SMART Center resources to track the vehicle, which was last seen near the 10 Freeway. The suspect remained at large as of the report's publication.

Homeless outreach

The Homeless Liaison Program made 166 contacts and 20 arrests during the week. Homeless-related dispositions totaled 481, or 21% of all calls, down from 519 the prior week. Year-to-date, homeless-related dispositions are down 3% compared to 2025.

Councilmember Negrete and visiting city leaders toured the SMART Center during the week, viewing the department's real-time crime center capabilities.

Residents can report non-emergency concerns to SMPD at 310-458-8491 or submit tips anonymously through the department's online portal.