Los Angeles County’s latest retail theft crackdown arms 7-Eleven owners with bright yellow warning decals after one store was robbed 12 times, signaling a dramatic shift from California’s previous “slap on the wrist” approach to shoplifting.
Key Takeaways
- LA County DA Nathan Hochman has introduced warning decals and formed a coalition with local law enforcement to combat the surge in retail theft plaguing local businesses
- A 7-Eleven in Pico-Robertson that has been robbed 12 times recently became the face of the new initiative, highlighting the financial and safety impacts on small business owners
- 10,000 bright yellow decals are being distributed to warn potential thieves that crimes will be prosecuted as felonies under Proposition 36, which increases penalties for shoplifting offenses
- Since December 18, over 1,000 arrests have been made under Proposition 36 for thefts exceeding $1 million in merchandise
- The initiative combines community engagement with stricter enforcement, featuring QR codes on decals for prompt crime reporting and a regional task force targeting repeat offenders
Small Businesses Bear the Brunt of Retail Crime Wave
The human face of LA County’s retail theft epidemic was on full display at a recent news conference held at a Pico-Robertson 7-Eleven. Store owner Jawad Ursani, who hosted the event announcing the new retail theft warning program, has weathered a storm of criminal activity at his location. The longtime business owner shared his harrowing experience of running a store that has become a repeat target for thieves, including smash-and-grab incidents and persistent shoplifting that has severely impacted his bottom line and created a dangerous environment for his employees.
“I have operated this 7-Eleven store for over 25 years. Each incident costs us. In stolen goods, broken equipment, staff morale and personal safety,” Jawad Ursani, 7-Eleven store owner
Ursani’s experience mirrors that of countless other retailers across Los Angeles County, where businesses have reportedly lost millions of dollars to theft since January alone. The economic impact extends far beyond the immediate loss of merchandise, creating a ripple effect that includes property damage, increased security costs, and declining worker retention as employees face increasingly dangerous conditions. These compounding factors have pushed many small business owners to the breaking point, making the county’s new initiative a welcome change from years of perceived leniency toward retail criminals.
Yellow Decals Signal Tougher Prosecution Approach
At the center of LA County’s new retail theft deterrence program are eye-catching yellow decals that send a clear message to would-be thieves: the era of “catch and release” for shoplifters is over. These bold warning signs, with 10,000 being distributed to businesses throughout the county, serve multiple purposes in the fight against retail crime. The decals prominently display warnings that thefts will be prosecuted by the regional retail theft task force and include QR codes that allow for immediate crime reporting, creating a more streamlined path to justice.
NEW: The Los Angeles County District Attorney‘s Office is providing 10,000 of these warning decals to Los Angeles County retailers to send a clear message that our office will prosecute those who steal from local businesses to the full extent of the law. pic.twitter.com/EHEhAYVwwl
— Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (@LADAOffice) May 15, 2025
“A felony, no longer is it a slap on the wrist. No longer is it a cite and release. You will actually be booked, you will go downtown, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney.
The visual deterrent is backed by real enforcement muscle, with District Attorney Hochman forming a task force that brings together city, county, and state law enforcement agencies. This coordinated approach targets repeat offenders and organized theft gangs under the newly implemented Proposition 36, which reclassifies many shoplifting offenses from misdemeanors to felonies. The proposition specifically aims to disrupt the increasingly common flash-mob style robberies and organized burglaries that have plagued retailers throughout California in recent years.
Early Success Shows Promise for New Approach
The tougher stance on retail theft is already showing measurable results, providing hope to beleaguered business owners across Los Angeles County. Since December 18, authorities have made over a thousand arrests under Proposition 36, with recovered merchandise valued at more than $1 million. These numbers reflect not only local efforts but part of a broader statewide initiative led by the California Highway Patrol, which has recovered an impressive $53 million in stolen items from organized theft rings operating throughout California.
“Los Angeles County is launching a new program to warn criminals and deter retail theft, according to District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who says local businesses have lost millions of dollars to theft since January.” District Attorney Nathan Hochman
Hochman has emphasized that the primary goal of the program is deterrence rather than incarceration. By making potential thieves aware of heightened consequences before they commit crimes, the initiative aims to prevent victimization of businesses and communities from occurring in the first place. The visible presence of the yellow decals serves as a constant reminder that retail theft is being taken seriously, while the QR code feature empowers community members to participate actively in crime prevention efforts, creating a more robust security network throughout the county.
