California Retail Theft Reduction Act Would Target Those Stealing With Intent to Sell, Lawmakers Say

California lawmakers are looking to find solutions for retail theft crimes that are impacting the state and causing some businesses to flee, with a new bill introduced Feb. 15 targeting organized criminal activity. Assembly Bill 2943—co-authored by two Assemblymen, Rick Chavez Zbur and Speaker Robert Rivas—would strengthen penalties for repeat offenders and for those profiting from such crimes. The measure would create a new felony crime carrying a penalty of up to three years in prison for possessing stolen property with the intent to sell, according to the authors. Repeated conduct and possession of a quantity of goods that exceeds personal consumption would qualify as evidence of intent—with the provision applying to thieves and re-sellers of stolen items....