California Shoplifters Shocked by New Felony Laws in Action

In a recent incident that has sparked discussions about California’s evolving legal landscape, a video released by the Seal Beach Police Department captures the moment when three young women were apprehended for shoplifting. The footage, which combines security, police body cam, and dash cam clips, shows the women allegedly stealing from an Ulta Beauty and a Kohl’s store. The total value of the stolen goods amounted to $648 from Ulta and at least $237 from Kohl’s.

As the police pursued and detained the trio in a parking lot, the video reveals a moment of disbelief and confusion among the suspects. One of the girls, visibly surprised, asked her friend, “It’s a felony?” Her companion quickly informed her, “B***h, new laws. Stealing is a felony.”

The conversation continued with a stark reminder of their location. “And this is Orange County, b***h, they don’t play,” the friend added, recalling a previous encounter with the law. “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.”

Proposition 36, passed with nearly 70% approval in the recent election, marks a significant shift in California’s approach to crime. It reverses some of the leniencies introduced by Proposition 47 in 2014, which had downgraded certain nonviolent felonies to misdemeanors. The new measure targets retail theft, especially “flash mobs,” where groups overwhelm stores, by making theft a felony for individuals with two prior convictions for specific crimes.

The Seal Beach Police Department emphasized their stance against lenient policies with a statement: “Here in Seal Beach we never believed in the cite and release program, but this new proposition only strengthens our commitment to combatting Organized Retail Theft.” This incident serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences of theft in the state, reinforcing the importance of understanding and adhering to the law.

Watch a local news report about the incident below:

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