SAN FRANCISCO, USA – April 7, 2025 — Police in San Francisco have arrested a 57-year-old man, Marcel Criner, for multiple retail thefts after he allegedly defied a court order and continued targeting the same store he had previously been barred from.
Criner was taken into custody on March 25 at 850 Bryant Street following a series of repeat theft incidents along the 1300 block of Castro Street. According to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), he had earlier been arrested in December 2024 for stealing over $1,200 worth of merchandise in five separate incidents from the same retail outlet.
Despite being released on his own recognizance and instructed by the court to stay away from the location, Criner reportedly returned and committed at least five additional thefts.
Police say the latest charges were filed under California Penal Code 666.1, a provision introduced by Proposition 36, which voters recently passed. The statute enables repeat petty theft offenders to be charged with felonies instead of misdemeanors — a move authorities believe will act as a stronger deterrent against habitual theft.
“Our officers will continue to use every tool available to them, including new statutes from Prop 36 passed by voters, to hold suspects accountable,” said SFPD Chief Bill Scott in a statement.
The department is encouraging members of the public with information on any related thefts to reach out via official communication channels.
As the investigation continues, the San Francisco community is watching closely to see whether Prop 36 will usher in a tougher era on repeat offenders, particularly amid growing concerns about retail crime in the Bay Area.
This report was compiled by the Global Desk of Newspot Nigeria, your trusted source for global and local updates that matter.
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