3 Suspects Arrested in Retail Theft With Sledgehammers in Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, Calif.—Two men and a woman were taken into custody for allegedly stealing more than $23,000 in merchandise during an organized retail theft in Southern California, police said April 12. The robbery was reported around 4 a.m. March 23 at an Ulta beauty store in the 1200 block of Wilshire Boulevard, according to Santa Monica Police Department spokeswoman Lt. Erika Aklufi. The suspects, six in total, were all wearing face masks and allegedly used sledgehammers to destroy several glass display cases that contained high-end perfumes, stealing more than $23,000 in merchandise before fleeing the area in two dark-colored vehicles. “Based on evidence recovered during the warrant, detectives believe the individuals who burglarized the Santa Monica Ulta store are part of a larger organized retail theft crime ring that may have gang connections,” Ms. Aklufi said in a statement....