The issue of retail theft has been a growing problem nationwide. According to a National Retail Security Survey, retail losses surged from $93.9 billion to $112.1 billion between 2021 and 2022, and the recent rise in smash-and-grabs has public officials and law enforcement joining forces to come up with solutions.

On this week’s “In Focus SoCal,” host Ariel Wesler talks to Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur and CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee for a breakdown of new laws, and what law enforcement agencies are doing to help. 

Zbur, who serves as the chair of the Select Committee on Retail Theft, explains the scope of the retail theft problem.

“These organized crime rings hit store after store after store, and so really our legislation is targeting those criminals, making it easier for law enforcement to apprehend them and to prosecute these crime rings,” Zbur said.

In addition, new legislation will expand criminal penalties. Zbur shared the focus of new laws.

“By shutting down the market for these stolen goods will be one of the ways we can address the problem. A lot of goods that are stolen are fenced on these online retailing posts and so we’re really going to start looking at making sure that these retailers have records to show that they obtained goods from a reputable wholesaler or retailer or manufacturer, and we’re going to be cracking down on the use of online sources to fence stolen property,” he said.  

Geneva Jewelry in Riverside has been in business for 35 years, and Michelangelo Torchia has worked with his father since he was just 15 years old. On Feb. 17, 2024, two suspects entered the family’s store and used hammers to smash out the jewelry cases. Thieves grabbed as much merchandise as they could and fled the store, and that was the fifth time Geneva Jewelry was robbed.

“Make harsher punishment to people who end up doing these robberies,” Michelango Torchia said. He continued, “this is our livelihood and for us to have something just taken from us in a matter of just 45 seconds is frustrating.”

Citing data from the CHP’s organized retail crime task force from 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom called for the creation of new laws to help crack down on retail crime. CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee shared the goals of the retail crime task force including law enforcement agencies and district attorneys joining forces to combat the issue, “now it’s not just the CHP’s task forces that were in place — we’re getting more task forces throughout the state that are going to join the fight. LAPD, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, CHP, have a joint task force,” and he continued, “a message to those that are going to engage in a smash-and-grab, law enforcement is organized,”  he continued, “if you engage in that we’re going to catch you, we’re going to hold you accountable.”     

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