New Laws Combat Smash-and-Grab Theft and Property Crime in California

Police and prosecutors in California will have new tools to combat smash-and-grab theft and other types of property crime once the calendar turns to 2025.

New Laws to Take Effect

A series of laws enacted by the legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom will take effect on January 1. They include new methods for calculating the value of stolen goods to meet felony charges, lowering the threshold for police to make arrests for shoplifting, and increasing sentences.

AB 2943: Aggregation of Stolen Property Values

AB 2943 by Asm. Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) allows the aggregation of stolen property values from multiple victims or across different counties to meet the $950 felony grand theft threshold.

SB 905: Cumulative Value of Stolen Property

SB 905 by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) permits the cumulative value of property stolen from vehicles over several incidents to be used to charge someone with automotive property theft for resale.

AB 2943: Authority to Arrest for Shoplifting

AB 2943 grants officers the authority to arrest individuals for shoplifting based on probable cause, even if the officer did not witness the crime.

New Offenses and Sentencing

AB 2943 introduces a new offense, punishable by up to three years in jail, for possessing stolen goods worth more than $950 with the intent to sell, exchange, or return them. This law simplifies prosecution by eliminating the need to prove the defendant knew the goods were stolen.

Other Key Provisions

AB 3209 by Asm. Marc Berman (D-Palo Alto) authorizes courts to issue “retail theft restraining orders,” which can ban individuals convicted of certain retail crimes from entering the affected stores or their other locations for up to two years.

AB 1802 by Asm. Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) removes the expiration date for the crime of organized retail theft and the regional property crimes task force.

AB 1972 by Asm. Juan Alanis (R-Modesto) includes cargo theft in the list of property crimes that regional property crimes task forces can address.

Conclusion

The new laws aim to combat the growing issue of smash-and-grab theft and property crime in California. By providing law enforcement with new tools and authority, the laws aim to strengthen public safety and protect businesses and individuals from financial losses.

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of the new laws?
A: The new laws aim to combat the growing issue of smash-and-grab theft and property crime in California.

Q: What is the significance of AB 2943?
A: AB 2943 allows the aggregation of stolen property values, grants officers authority to arrest for shoplifting, and introduces a new offense for possessing stolen goods worth more than $950 with the intent to sell, exchange, or return them.

Q: What is the impact of the new laws on retailers?
A: The new laws aim to protect retailers by providing them with new tools to combat property crime and by prohibiting individuals convicted of certain retail crimes from entering the affected stores or their other locations for up to two years.

Q: When do the new laws take effect?
A: The new laws take effect on January 1, 2025.