Sitting in the back of a police cruiser, two shoplifters talk about Proposition 36, one of the new laws that made theft a felony in California, in a newly viral video.
Three shoplifting suspects are shown in the video, which was released by the Seal Beach Police Department on Sunday, as they raid several establishments on December 4 and take more than $1,600 worth of stolen goods.
At around 7:12 p.m., the suspects first enter an Ulta Beauty store, where they allegedly stole nearly $650 worth of goods before fleeing. They allegedly stole over $1,180 worth of merchandise when they broke into a Kohl’s shop less than an hour later. After that, they can be seen leaving the store and moving through the parking lot while carrying stolen goods.
According to a statement issued on Monday, the video abruptly shifts to police pursuing the suspects across a parking lot on body cameras prior to their capture.
Michelle Pitts, 26, of Signal Hill, and Destiny Bender, 24, and Deanna Hines, 24 of Long Beach, have been named as the suspects. Grand theft, conspiracy to commit a felony, and resisting arrest were the charges against all three of them.
Two of those suspects may be seen sitting in handcuffs in the back of a patrol cruiser on video.
The question, “It’s a felony?” is heard.
“B—h new laws,” replies the other. “It is illegal to steal. Additionally, they don’t play in Orange County.
The new measures that are being implemented throughout California were explained by Seal Beach police.
“Proposition 36, which voters approved in November 2024, creates stricter penalties for organized theft and expands law enforcement capabilities to combat repeat offenders,” according to a statement from Seal Beach police. “Specifically, it permits felony charges for petty theft with prior convictions, allows aggregating the value of stolen goods from multiple thefts to meet the $950 felony threshold, and introduces enhancements for theft crimes involving two or more offenders acting in concert.”
The song “These Boots Are Made For Walkin'” by Nancy Sinatra played during the video, maybe referencing the big, fuzzy boots that one of the suspects was wearing.
According to the police, the video’s distribution is a component of their “Don’t Steal in Seal” campaign, which emphasizes arrests and aims to inform the people about the repercussions of breaking the law in their city.
“The campaign has received widespread praise for this innovative approach and effectiveness in engaging the community,” the release from the department stated.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!