RLP NEWS
A new anti-theft law is set to take effect in California, introducing stricter penalties for those involved in organized retail crime. The legislation, passed by Governor Gavin Newsom in August, will go into effect on January 1, 2025, and aims to curb the rising wave of retail theft and brazen smash-and-grab incidents across the state.
The new law targets individuals participating in organized retail theft, smash-and-grab robberies, and vehicle theft, introducing harsher punishments. California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach, stating, “The only way we can take these criminals down is by beating them at their own game. We need to be equally nimble, coordinated, and organized.”
The bill, comprising 10 new laws, will allow district attorneys to collaborate and file theft charges across county lines, combining offenses committed in multiple locations into a single, more severe charge. This new approach will enable prosecutors to handle thefts involving multiple victims or stores with greater efficiency.
Key provisions include increased penalties for possessing stolen property exceeding $950, which can now be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, carrying sentences of up to one year. Additionally, individuals convicted of shoplifting, organized retail theft, vandalism, or assaulting store employees can be banned from entering any of the retailer’s locations for up to two years.
For high-end theft, a new sentencing enhancement has been introduced. Those caught selling stolen goods worth over $50,000 can face up to one year in prison. The punishment escalates based on the value of the stolen goods, with sentences of two years for items exceeding $200,000, three years for property worth over $1 million, and four years for items valued at more than $3 million. Even those indirectly involved, such as middlemen selling stolen goods, will face these penalties.
The law also strengthens penalties for vehicle break-ins and auto theft. It establishes new consequences for possessing property stolen during a car theft or unlawful vehicle entry, addressing a gap that had previously made prosecution difficult.
Attorney General Bonta concluded by saying, “These 10 new laws address gaps that made it harder for law enforcement and prosecutors to bring perpetrators to justice.” The new legislation represents a united front among law enforcement, prosecutors, retailers, and online marketplaces to combat organized retail crime head-on.