Police in Seal Beach recently arrested shoplifters thanks to a new law under California’s newly implemented Proposition 36, which toughens penalties for certain theft and drug offenses—marking one of the first cases under the change, which began last week.
As seen in a viral montage of security camera, dash cam, and body camera footage posted to Instagram this week by the Seal Beach Police Department, three women are seen shoplifting at an Ulta Beauty store, stealing over $600 worth of merchandise. They then proceeded to a Kohl’s, taking more items without paying.
🚨 California Shoplifting Shocker: New Laws Bring Felony Charges! Hilarious!!!!🚔
Seal Beach Police Department’s surveillance video has gone viral, showing three women allegedly stealing nearly $650 worth of goods from Ulta Beauty before heading to a Kohl’s store for another… pic.twitter.com/oXC2uy7lHz
— The Patriots Prayer Network (@ThePatriotsPray) December 24, 2024
Two of the women are later seen in the back of a squad car, where video footage revealed one of the women asking the other if they could face felony charges, to which she was told, “New laws. Stealing is a felony.”
The new law reverses some of the changes made by a 2014 ballot measure that had reduced certain nonviolent felonies to misdemeanors.
“We never believed in the cite and release program, but this new proposition only strengthens our commitment to combatting Organized Retail Theft,” the Seal Beach Police Department stated on its official Instagram account.
Proposition 36, which passed with nearly 70 percent voter approval, aims to address the surge in retail theft that followed the 2014 law change. Previously, thefts involving items valued under $950 could only be charged as misdemeanors.
The new legislation also includes Alexandra’s Law, named after Alexandra Capelouto, a 20-year-old who died from fentanyl poisoning in 2019. The provision requires judges to warn individuals convicted of dealing fentanyl about potential harsher penalties if their actions lead to someone’s death, as reported by The Epoch Times.
The implementation of Proposition 36 has not been without controversy. California Gov. Gavin Newsom opposed the measure, citing concerns about increased incarceration rates and associated costs to the state.
The Seal Beach incident highlights the changing legal landscape in California, as one of the suspects noted in the police video: “This is Orange County … They don’t play,” highlighting the stricter approach to retail theft in the region.
Law enforcement agencies across the state are adapting to the new regulations.
The Seal Beach Police Department emphasized this in their latest post, warning, “Remember folks, Don’t Steal in Seal,” highlighting their zero-tolerance policy toward theft.
Proposition 36, officially known as the “Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act,” took effect on Dec. 18, bringing about changes to California’s approach to drug and theft offenses.
The new law introduces “wobbler” offenses, which can be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors depending on various factors. These include possession of hard drugs with two prior drug-related convictions and petty theft or shoplifting with two prior theft-related convictions, according to a Monday announcement by the Riverside County District Attorney, highlighting the new law.
Sentencing for these offenses varies, with first-time offenders typically receiving county jail time and repeat offenders potentially facing state prison sentences.