An accused California shoplifter was surprised to study she is likely to be slapped with a felony cost after “new legal guidelines” that crack down on low-level theft, police video exhibits.
The Seal Seashore Police Division in Orange County printed a montage of safety, sprint and physique digital camera movies that present three girls allegedly lifting greater than $600 in merch from an Ulta Magnificence earlier than officers caught up with the gals, slapped them in cuffs and shoved them right into a squad automotive.
That was when one suspect asks in the event that they could possibly be charged with a felony, to which her confederate delivers the sobering information: “B—h, new legal guidelines. Stealing is a felony.”
“That is Orange County, b—h. They don’t play,” lamented the alleged thief.
The brand new legal guidelines in query are Proposition 36 — a poll initiative that went into impact Wednesday undoing soft-on-crime insurance policies limiting legislation enforcement’s skill to crack down on lesser crimes like shoplifting.
Below one legislation handed in 2014, thieves may solely be charged with a misdemeanor if the stolen objects they have been lower than $950.
However that legislation coincided with a surge in retail theft, prompting an outcry from residents and companies alike and pushing politicians to lastly reverse course.
Practically 70% of voters forged ballots in favor of Prop 36.
“Right here in Seal Seashore we by no means believed within the cite and launch program, however this new proposition solely strengthens our dedication to combatting Organized Retail Theft,” Seal Seashore PD wrote within the caption of the video, which was set to Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots are Made for Walkin.’”
“Bear in mind of us, Don’t Steal in Seal,” it added.