Rash of Smash-and-Grab Incidents in California
Just hours after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a “landmark” plan to combat retail theft, bike thugs in California ransacked three separate 7-Eleven stores in less than 20 minutes. About 20 thieves on bicycles raided Hollywood-area convenience stores two miles away on Friday night, NBC Los Angeles reported, citing the Los Angeles Police Department.
Brazen Theft Spree
The brazen group broke into every store and stole food and drinks, starting with the 7-Eleven at 7040 W. Sunset Blvd. All that was left of the store was a broken window. An employee at the second store near Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue was allegedly assaulted around 8:16 p.m. A third store on Santa Monica Boulevard was hit at 8:22 p.m.
Escalating Crime Rates
According to reports, the teenagers captured on video surveillance looked similar to the same group that attacked two other 7-Eleven stores in the area last week. Shoplifting cases in California increased by 22% between 2019 and 2022, with commercial burglaries and robberies increasing by 16% and 13% respectively.
Stricter Penalties and Legislation
The smash-and-grab incidents have put local and state politicians in a bind as Newsom just signed the latest bipartisan legislation on Friday. The “landmark” legislation aims to introduce tougher penalties for serial shoplifters, retail thieves, and car thieves. The law also allows for the aggregation of stolen property, enabling prosecutors to combine the value of multiple stolen items to meet the threshold for a felony grand larceny charge.
In conclusion, the recent surge in smash-and-grab incidents in California underscores the pressing need for stricter enforcement and penalties to combat retail theft. The state’s lawmakers are taking action to address the escalating crime rates and protect businesses and communities from such brazen acts of criminality.
