Crime & Safety
Serial Thief Arrested As Police Tout Prop 36 Passed By Voters
"Our officers will continue to use every tool available to them, including new statutes from Prop 36 passed by voters."
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Police Department arrested a 57-year-old man in connection with a string of retail thefts on the 1300 block of Castro Street.
Marcel Criner was taken into custody March 25 at 850 Bryant St. on retail theft-related offense, police said.
Criner had previously been arrested in December 2024 for reportedly stealing more than $1,200 in merchandise from the same store across five incidents, SFPD noted.
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He was released on his own recognizance and ordered to stay away from the location, police said.
Despite the court order, investigators alleged Criner returned to the store and committed at least five additional thefts.
The new charges were filed under California Penal Code 666.1, created by Proposition 36, which allows repeat petty theft offenders to be charged with felonies.
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"Our officers will continue to use every tool available to them, including new statutes from Prop 36 passed by voters, to hold suspects accountable," said Police Chief Bill Scott.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411, starting the message with "SFPD."
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