Fox News Flash top headlines are here. More than a dozen people in a Chicago suburb were recorded on security video Wednesday afternoon grabbing bags and wiping shelves clear at a Louis Vuitton store. VENICE BEACH VIOLENCE REACHES BOILING POINT IN L.A. AS NEW VIRAL VIDEO EMERGES, "Its just lawlessness," he added. David and Joan Traitel Building & Rental Information, National Security, Technology & Law Working Group, Middle East and the Islamic World Working Group, Military History/Contemporary Conflict Working Group, Technology, Economics, and Governance Working Group, Answering Challenges to Advanced Economies, Understanding the Effects of Technology on Economics and Governance, Support the Mission of the Hoover Institution. This would be reclassifying the conviction. The 2,202 homicides in 2020 represent an increase of 523 over 2019. Through the end of June, 125 Californians reported water thefts to state authorities more than twice as many as a decade ago. Fischer was wounded in the dognapping and five people in total have been charged in connection with the theft. Discovery Company. Experts say yes. In Southern California, about 300 residents in the Antelope Valley saw their water system crash last year after thieves used water trucks to tap fire hydrants and water mains illegally. The initiative set a threshold of $950 for shoplifting to be considered a misdemeanor, which doesn't prompt law enforcement to make an arrest, rather than a felony, which could incur harsh penalties like jail time. Business owners and security officials in San Francisco, for example, are decrying the "lawlessness" in the city over shoplifting. And on Monday,about 20 people took roughly $5,000 of merchandise from a Nordstrom store at Grove mall. Robbery The state has recorded increased levels of retail theft every year since prop 47 was passed. Honda Civic - Number of Thefts: 38,426 2. But its been receiving a lot of opposition in the press, largely funded by Californias labor unions and liberal billionaires like Tom Steyer, Mark Zuckerberg, and the wife of Netflix CEO Reed Hastings. 6 people accused of stealing $1.1 million in construction equipment by: Samantha Jarpe. Learn more about joining the community of supporters and scholars working together to advance Hoovers mission and values. The measure is widely expected to fail. The amount of water that is being stolen to water those (marijuana) plants has a huge impact on our local aquifers, Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue told CNN. California officials are trying to put a stop to a crime that would be odd in most parts of the country. 2023 Cable News Network. ", Retail thefts have gotten the bulk of the attention on social media because of the string of videos. As the WSJ points out, there have already been six lawsuits in recent years where retailers have been forced to pay out hundreds of thousands of dollars for allegedly discriminatory actions that profile minority thieves. Some of these thefts are also consideredorganized retail crime, which refers to professional shoplifting rings. Two men in a Los Angeles suburb were seen on camera brazenly leaving a TJ Maxx store with their arms full of shoplifted items. Series of high-end store robberies: 'Mob of people' storms, robs California Nordstrom, 'Sad day for San Francisco': Walgreens closing 5 more San Francisco stores due to organized shoplifting. A California woman has been arrested and charged with grand theft after allegedly stealing more than $320,000 in merchandise from local retail stores. The landscape of shoplifting and petty theft jurisprudence in California has shifted dramatically in recent years, largely due to Proposition 47, which voters approved in 2014. Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association, said her organization sponsored the legislation in the hope that it could stem the tide of rising theft. Failing to lead. "If it's a felony, our officers can take action," he added. Cities around the country dub themselves the capital of this or that signature product artichokes in Castroville, Calif., earmuffs in Farmington, Maine, spinach in Alma, Ark., fried chicken in Barberton, Ohio. Because of this law, California is extending an open invitation to anyone to walk in and take. appreciated. A Warner Bros. WebIn Southern California, about 300 residents in the Antelope Valley saw their water system crash last year after thieves used water trucks to tap fire hydrants and water mains illegally. WebThe suspect then turned and fired at a U-Haul van whose driver returned fire, killing Moser, the sheriff's office said in news release posted on its Facebook page Tuesday. Over the past three years, the task forces 668 investigations included 252 arrests and the recovery of more than $16.3 billion in stolen merchandise. She said in California, a 2014 ballot measure raised the threshold for felony theft from $500 to $950. Thanks for contacting us. Coordinated smash and grab burglaries leave shoppers, employees on edge, About 80 looters descended on the Nordstrom, The incident is among a cluster of quick-hit robberies that have been plaguing, Dozens of looters target California Nordstrom in violent robbery, Walgreens announced last month that it would close five stores, cellphone video sprinting out of a Neiman Marcus, City officials released a midyear public safety report, Video shows 14 suspects raid Chicago Louis Vuitton store, More than a dozen people in a Chicago suburb. Ahmad Rahmaan, 25, and 28-year-old Tylise Bell, of Los Angeles, are being held in O.C. But he also conceded that it has been difficult recruiting new police officers to the city's department, which remains hundreds of officers short during a climate in which policing remains heavily scrutinized. WebPolice in the Kabete constituency in Kiambu county have arrested 6 people suspected to have been stealing vehicles and vandalising their parts. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. "People shopping there were just kind of standing there watching. King worked for LDR as an agent, claiming to facilitate loans to high-profile clients. The video was recently filmed at a TJ Maxx in Granada Hills and shows two men leaving the store with their arms packed with clothing and other items, with one of the men carrying a large duffle bag that appears to be full of items. Do that good work. If the good work had been done, there would be no recall. Theft will be considered a misdemeanor if the stolen value does not exceed $950. But they aren't the only ones to fall victim to her con. Despite being the bluest state in the country, only 48 percent of Californians want to retain Newsom as governor. And even if a couple of the looters are caught, they know theyll be back out on the streets in an hour or two at most. Antonio Planas is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. "What is not getting the attention is the fact when you do come to San Francisco and commit a crime, you will be arrested by this department. On the other, there are the organized crime rings that oversee the theft of vast amounts of merchandise that is turned around and sold online. An employee was pepper-sprayed, and two others were punched and kicked, a police spokesperson said. 12:18 AM EDT, Fri August 13, 2021. Cell phone video of the incident shows 20 to 40 people smash windows and grab merchandise, according to police. Moreover, a confrontation within the store risks harming not only store staff but also customers, so employees are almost certainly instructed by their managers to do nothing. San Francisco shoplifting: 4 women bolt out of CVS with stuffed bags in citys latest retail theft. A rational society knows this, and perhaps one day San Francisco will again as well. The article also misstated the amount of water that was estimated stolen it was at least 1.8 billion gallons, according to Nores. IE 11 is not supported. WebBy Antonio Planas. The clerks say there is nothing they can do. No, the CA Theft Law only establishes that a misdemeanor theft is one of a value of $950 or less. As they said, if you tell people they wont get arrested for stealing, its like a free pass to go shopping And as weve seen repeatedly, when you stop enforcing the law, a certain percentage of the population will quickly move in to take advantage of the situation. The LAPD is investigating the incident, but neither of the men have been charged or arrested. Sadly, this is Gavin Newsom. Timothy T. Williams Jr., who spent 29 years with the Los Angeles Police Department before he retired from its Robbery-Homicide Division, said he has also never seen so many suspects accused in a shoplifting incident. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Whenever we go in there, they always have problems with shoplifters., Mr. Luke has been posting photos of the shoplifting sprees. California smash-and-grab gangs strike again, steal $25,000 in high-end goods. WebPenal Code 459.5 PC defines the California crime of shoplifting as entering a commercial establishment during regular business hours with the intentto steal In a few easy steps create an account and receive the most recent analysis from Hoover fellows tailored to your specific policy interests. Located on the campus of Stanford University and in Washington, DC, the Hoover Institution is the nations preeminent research center dedicated to generating policy ideas that promote economic prosperity, national security, and democratic governance. But San Francisco isn't the only city to grapple with the problem: In Seattle, police said last month they made more than 50 arrests linked to coordinated thefts at nine large retailers and grocery stores, and in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the state's top prosecutor, police and big-box stores announced a partnership this month to combat "organized retail crime.". A shoplifting incident involving 80 people accused of grabbing items and rushing out of a Nordstrom store in California in under a minute Saturday night is among Pollys father, Marc, who supports recalling Newsom, remarked, The thing that really alarms me about what the governor did, is that its a continuation of policies to undermine the criminal justice system, and to put dangerous people back out onto the streets., Just a few hours after Marc Klaass remarks, Newsoms office announced a press conference on state action to address crime and reduce retail theft in communities across California.. One alleged victim describes King as like a family member. Police data shows overall thefts are down 9 percent in the first six months of the year compared to the same period in 2020, when the city was on lockdown and many businesses closed during the onset of the pandemic. Jennifer McBride was involved in the theft of Lady Gagas French bulldogs in February 2021, and says Gaga needs to pay up on the reward money she offered. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. That happened again this week as yet another Walgreens has closed its doors permanently. Top 10 Most Stolen Cars in America 1. (Nov. 25), more than 80 people stormed another Nordstrom, Retailers and experts from the National Retail Federation say, 'Mob of people' storms, robs California Nordstrom, Walgreens closing 5 more San Francisco stores due to organized shoplifting. As California enters its hottest and driest stretch of the year, which forces municipalities to increasingly restrict water use, the thefts are threatening to make a bad situation even more dire. If the robbers are minorities, the businesses are immediately accused of racism if they attempt to stop the thieves. Quick-hit robberies continue to target high-end retail stores and pharmacies in Californias Bay Area, officials say. A governor of a state of nearly forty million, without a realistic vision to grow a better future. Walgreens says its San Francisco stores experience a level of theft five times the national average. I think were going to be OK on Election Day. Sounds like a well-intentioned man who still wants the job but is having second thoughts about whether he believes in himself. Water stealing has never been more severe, said John Nores, former head of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Marijuana Enforcement Team. Nissan Altima - Number of Thefts: 13,284 7. WebFive people rushed into a Nordstrom store in Southern California the night before Thanksgiving and fled with several purses, the latest incident in a string of grab-and-go California Wobbler Crimes: Misdemeanor or Felony? Hoover Education Success Initiative | The Papers. Police have described the incidents as"flash mob thefts," and they've been happening in several other cities across California. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Woke rewrites of 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' Bond, other classics: foolish AND sinister, Bidens shocking push to radicalize the federal bureaucracy, The Left's racist attacks against Nikki Haley highlight minority hypocrisy, White House flack Karine Jean-Pierre can't even rule out aliens in flying object fiasco, Even where Ukraine-peace-now lobby has a point, it's wrong about how to get there, has become one of the citys most influential cultural exports. For their part, the stores advise employees not to interfere with shoplifters lest they get hurt. They dont want anyone getting injured or getting sued, so the guys just keep coming in and taking whatever they want.. Jerretta Sandoz told CBS LA of the incident. At least 5 thieves maced the guard before snatching up to eight expensive handbags. Honda Accord - Number of Thefts: 36,815 3. In the San Francisco Bay area last week, more than 80 people stormed another Nordstromarmed with crowbars. "And so, thats sending a message that we, the criminals, are winning.". Data shows that after Prop 47 passed, shoplifting and thefts increased. The city's district attorney, Chesa Boudin, who took office in January 2020 on a progressive platform that pledged to tackle incarceration rates and endorse diversion programs, has been at the center of a recall effort after complaints of rising crime in the city. Copyright 2023 HotAir.com/Salem Media. WebCalifornias $950 Theft Law turned shoplifting from a felony offense to a misdemeanor as long as the total stolen does not exceed the value of $950. One enterprise that was broken up was estimated at $50 million. "But the problem is bigger than our city. Retailers and experts from the National Retail Federation saythefts have gotten more violent amid the pandemic and have moved from cities to the suburbs. "The threshold for a misdemeanor offense is $950 meaning that a person can steal up to that amount and only be charged with a misdemeanor," Buel said. The police said they later arrested "Robberies are one of the categories where cops in the street matter," he told reporters. Here's what to know about these recent thefts: These incidents, which have been dubbed "grab and go" or "smash and go" thefts,involve people taking expensive items and running off, rather than traditional shoplifters who snag items here and there while shopping around. A Newport Beach attorney is accused of stealing more than $10 million from business partners and friends to fund a lavish lifestyle in Las Vegas. Additional research, however, will be needed, Kubrin said, to see the effect something like Proposition 47 is having on San Francisco and other local communities. What is needed is a change to the state law that makes shoplifting at a much lower dollar level a felony, to provide adequate incentives to individuals not to commit these crimes. As a consequence, the chain has been steadily closing locations. Under the new theft law, those serving prison time for a felony theft charge that would now be classified as a misdemeanor will receive the opportunity for resentencing. California is continuing down a path where simply being a member of a minority group is an excuse for nearly anything. We've received your submission. WHITE PLAINS - Seven Rockland residents have been sentenced for stealing millions of dollars from a federal program designed to provide computer technology to underprivileged schoolchildren. Related: Three-Strikes Law: Which States Have it? She's accused of fabricating loans using expensive cars, watches and even NFL contracts as collateral. In 2020 alone, nearly 650,000 people left California for other states about 210,000 more than moved to California from elsewhere in the U.S. Web6 people accused of stealing $1.1 million in construction equipment by: Samantha Jarpe. Grab-and-run theft hits Southern Calif. Nordstrom, Thieves rushed into a Southern California Nordstrom store the night before Thanksgiving and ran off with pricey goods, police said, in the latest of a string of organized retail thefts. I doubt many would, knowing that a Rite Aid employee was murdered recently after trying to stop two thieves. "The evidence seems to be mounting that Prop 47 is not the culprit here or at least not the key culprit," Kubrin said, adding that criminal justice reforms have "become a scapegoat" to blame for the perception of high crime. As the extreme drought emergency continues in California, thieves are making off with billions of gallons of water. She even used pictures of her mingling with high-profile athletes like Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes to enhance her reputation and claim alleged connections. Donning ski masks, the mob ran off with thousands of dollars of merchandise. They're affected, too," said Rachel Michelin, the president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, a trade group. WOULD-BE ROBBERS SHOT BY ARMED SHOPPERS IN LOS ANGELES. All six men have been arrested and were held The result: Another Walgreens store in San Francisco, the seventh this year, is closing after its shelves were cleared by looters. The LAPD was also investigating a similar incident in which groups entered several stores in the Beverly Center on Wednesday, grabbed merchandise and ran out. "If theyre caught, theyre probably given the equivalent of a traffic ticket," she told CBS LA. 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