'It's A Felony?' Seal Beach Shoplifting Suspects Discuss New CA Law

SEAL BEACH, CA — The Seal Beach Police Department reminded the community that Proposition 36, which increases punishments for retail theft, went into effect last week by sharing a video of two shoplifting suspects talking about the new law.

The video, posted on Sunday on SBPD's Instagram page, showed incidents of suspected shoplifting that occurred on Dec. 4. Multiple clips from security cameras at various stores throughout the city showed a group of three suspects browsing, selecting items and leaving without paying.

According to SBPD's video, the suspects visited Ulta and left with $648 of merchandise at about 7:12 p.m. At 7:52 p.m. the same group was seen entering Kohl's and leaving with more than $1,000 in merchandise.

Dashcam and body-worn camera footage shows Seal Beach police chasing the suspects down and arresting them.

With the passing of Proposition 36, thefts under $950 are now considered felonies. In SBPD's video, two of the suspects are heard discussing the new law in the backseat of a police car.

"It's a felony?" one of the suspects asked.

"Bitch new laws, stealing is a felony," the other woman explained, "and this is Orange County they don't play."