“It’s a crime?” Shoplifting suspects discuss the new California law in the patrol car

A Southern California police department reminded the public that Proposition 36 went into effect last week by releasing a video from earlier this month that showed two shoplifting suspects handcuffed in the back seat of a patrol car talking about the new law.

The video showing the Dec. 4 incident was posted to the Seal Beach Police Department’s Instagram page Sunday evening.

The two suspects were among three women seen on surveillance video entering an Ulta Beauty store and then walking out with bags full of merchandise. Police said the suspects stole $648 from the store.

The same three women were seen in another video entering a Kohl’s department store, where they allegedly took around $1,000 worth of merchandise.

Dashcam video shows police chasing and taking the suspects into custody.

While sitting in the back seat of a patrol car, two of the suspects are overheard discussing the new shoplifting laws.

“It’s a crime?” One of the women turns around and says. The other responds with: “B–, new laws. “Stealing is a crime,” and he turns away before continuing, “And that Orange County b–. They don’t play.”

Seal Beach police added messages to the video that read, “Prop 36 in full effect!” and “Don’t steal in Seal.”

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