Ten new laws are aimed at cracking down on retail crime, including smash and grabs, organized retail theft, and vehicle theft.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — New laws to combat retail crime are set to take effect at the start of the new year. On Thursday, Attorney General Rob Bonta issued out an information bulletin, or summary, of the new laws to law enforcement agencies ahead of the new changes.
The 10 new laws Bonta discussed are aimed at cracking down on retail crime, including smash and grabs, organized retail theft and vehicle theft.
“If you break these laws, you will be held accountable,” Bonta said.
The organized retail crime bills were signed into law by Governor Newsom in August. Bonta said these will provide law enforcement with more tools to push back against organized retail crime.
“These 10 laws address gaps that made it more difficult for law enforcement and prosecutors to bring perpetrators to justice,” Bonta added.
Among the new policies, there is legislation that allows for thefts against multiple victims or in multiple counties to be combined.
The new laws also allow for stricter penalties, including one creating sentencing enhancements for selling stolen property that has a value of $50,000 or more. Bonta said this is aimed at cracking down on smash and grabs.
Another law increases penalties for car break ins and auto theft. It also creates a new crime for possessing stolen property that was taken during a vehicle theft or unlawful entry of a car.
“For perpetrators who are looking to skirt our laws and exploit potential loopholes, those days are over, those loopholes are closed,” Bonta said.
The laws also renew task forces and diversion programs. The CHP said their task force has recovered more than $46 million worth of stolen merchandise since 2019.
In November, voters will also get to weight in on the conversation. They will see ballot measure Prop 36 on their ballot, which allows for felony charges and increased sentences for certain drug and theft related crimes.
