A new California retail theft law had a trio of shoplifters shaking in their cuffs after being arrested for going on a pre-Christmas stealing spree.
California retail theft law shocks criminals
A young shoplifter in California was left stunned when she learned that the crime she allegedly was caught red-handed committing could land her a felony charge.
The revelation was made by her co-defendant, who explained the “new laws,” surrounding retail theft in recently released police footage that has since gone viral.
On Monday, the Seal Beach Police Department in Orange County shared a video compilation of security camera footage, along with body cam and dash cam clips, revealing three women who reportedly engaged in thefts at both an Ulta Beauty store and a Kohl’s.
According to police, the women first fleeced the Ulta Beauty location at approximately 7:12 p.m., allegedly swiping nearly $650 worth of merchandise.
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Less than an hour later, the trio moved on to Kohl’s, where they are accused of stealing items valued at over $1,180 during their less-than-legal shopping spree.
Video evidence released by the cops captures the suspects strolling through the parking lot, carrying their alleged loot.
Shoplifters panic after arrest
The police video proceeds to show officers pursuing the group in the parking area, successfully detaining them, handcuffing the suspects, and placing them in a patrol car.
“It’s a felony?” the surprised young woman asks her partner-in-crime in the back of the vehicle.
“B***h, new laws,” her accomplice replies before elaborating further. “Stealing is a felony.”
The accomplice also adds, “And this is Orange County, b***h, they don’t play. That’s why I asked, ‘What county is it?’ That’s where I went to jail last year and had to get on probation for a year for stealing out of Target.”
The video, edited to include Nancy Sinatra’s iconic song “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’,” humorously zooms in on a pair of fluffy Ugg boots worn by one of the suspects.
At that point the lyrics state, “One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you,” followed by, “You’ve been messin’ where you shouldn’t have been messin’.”
The post caption accompanying the video came with a clear warning from the Seal Beach Police Department for anyone considering similar crimes, highlighting the consequences of the state’s reinforced theft regulations.
“One of mother’s favorite songs and a friendly reminder that Proposition 36, which increases punishments for some retail theft and drug possession offenses, went into effect Wednesday morning in California,” the post read.
“Here in Seal Beach, we never believed in the cite and release program, but this new proposition only strengthens our commitment to combating Organized Retail Theft,” the department continued. “Remember folks, Don’t Steal in Seal.”
The suspects have since been identified as Destiny Bender, 24, and Deanna Hines, 24, both from Long Beach, along with Michelle Pitts, a 26-year-old resident of Signal Hill.
The trio of alleged retail thieves now faces charges of grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, and resisting arrest.
California retail theft law bad news for serial shoplifters
The Seal Beach Police also detailed Proposition 36, mentioning its widespread public support, with nearly 70% of California voters approving the measure during the November election. This legislation intends to counteract a significant rise in retail theft.
“Proposition 36, which voters approved in November 2024, creates stricter penalties for organized theft and expands law enforcement capabilities to combat repeat offenders,” read the formal police statement.
The measure allows prosecutors to file felony charges for petty theft if a suspect has previous convictions for specified crimes.
It also permits authorities to combine the value of stolen goods across multiple incidents to meet the $950 threshold for felony charges.
Additionally, the law introduces enhanced penalties for cases involving multiple individuals acting together to carry out theft.
Retail theft had surged following the enactment of Proposition 47 in 2014, which downgraded the penalties for thefts involving merchandise valued at $950 or less from felonies to misdemeanors.
Proposition 36 reverses aspects of that policy, imposing stricter measures, particularly on serial offenders.
