Suspected shoplifters in California were shocked to learn that it is now a crime
California police have released a video of three suspected shoplifters who were shocked to learn that the sentence for their crime had just been changed.
In surveillance video shared by the Seal Beach Police Department on Sunday, three women can be seen entering an Ulta Beauty store, browsing the shelves, and casually exiting the business with what police say was $650 worth of stolen merchandise.
“… a friendly reminder that Proposition 36, which increases the penalties for some theft and drug possession crimes, went into effect Wednesday morning in California,” the Seal Beach Police Department said in a video post on their Instagram account.
The video shows the women entering the Kohls store and allegedly stealing more merchandise, including nearly $1,000 worth of stolen goods.
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A suspected shoplifter was shocked to learn that some shoplifting offenses are now considered a felony in California. (Seal Beach Police Department)
The bodycam video then shows the police chasing the women and eventually arresting them.
“A crime?” one of these women asked another in the back of the patrol car.
“B—h new rules,” the woman replied. “Stealing is a crime and this Orange County b—h. Players.”
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The women were caught on camera swiping merchandise from several California businesses, police said. (Seal Beach Police Department)
The women were later identified by police as Destiny Bender, 24, and Deanna Hines, 24, both of Long Beach, and Michelle Pitts, 26, of Signal Hill.
All three were booked into the Orange County Jail on charges of Grand Theft, Criminal Conspiracy and Resisting Arrest.
Police shared a friendly reminder and video.
“It reverses some of the changes voters made in a 2014 ballot measure that turned some non-violent crimes into felonies, shortened prison sentences and led to an increase in shoplifting and crime,” police said. “Here at Seal Beach we’ve never believed in a citation and removal system, but this new proposal reinforces our commitment to fighting organized retail crime. Remember folks, don’t steal from Seal.”
Proposition 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Act, seeks to reverse parts of Proposition 47 by increasing penalties for certain crimes. Passed overwhelmingly in California, it rolled back some pro-criminal policies backed by billionaire George Soros.
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The accused thieves were shocked when they heard that they could be charged with theft. (Seal Beach Police Department)
When Proposition 47 was passed in 2014, it lowered the level of grand larceny from felonies to misdemeanors if the amount stolen was less than $950, “unless the defendant is convicted of murder, rape, certain sex crimes, or other crimes.” gun crime.”
Los Angeles County Progressive District Attorney George Gascón, sponsored by Soros, helped author Proposition 47, and lost his seat to Nathan Hochman’s challenger in November.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom remains staunchly opposed to the effort to roll back parts of Proposition 47, saying it “takes us back to the 1980s, mass incarceration.”
Jamie Joseph of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. News tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
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