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Recently, detectives identified Randall Held, 54, of Lake Forest, as a suspect in multiple thefts from the Best Buy in Irvine, according to the Irvine Police Department.
On Wednesday, detectives arrested him and booked him at Orange County Jail for felony organized retail theft charges.
Held appears to be a prolific retail theft suspect and has been tied to thefts at numerous other stores.
Last year, Proposition 36 reclassified some misdemeanor theft and drug offenses to felonies. People with multiple prior theft convictions can be charged with a felony if they commit petty theft or shoplifting.
Best Buy is where it is best to buy and not best to steal!
In California, the penalties for felony organized retail theft can be quite severe, especially for suspects with multiple retail thefts. Here are some key points:
- Felony Charges: If the value of the stolen merchandise exceeds $950, or if the suspect has prior theft-related convictions, the charge can be elevated to a felony.
- Aggregation of Value: California law allows for the aggregation of the value of stolen goods over a 12-month period. This means multiple thefts by the same individual or group can be combined to reach the $950 threshold necessary for felony charges.
- Penalties: Felony organized retail theft can result in imprisonment in state prison for up to three years12. Additionally, if the total value of stolen merchandise exceeds $50,000, an extra year in prison can be added.
- Enhanced Sentences: For those involved in large-scale resale of stolen goods, penalties can be even steeper. For example, if the value of stolen goods exceeds $50,000, the convicted individual could receive an additional year in prison.
- New Laws in 2025: Recent changes in the law, effective January 1, 2025, have increased penalties for organized retail theft and expanded what qualifies as a felony offense. This includes the ability to combine the value of stolen goods from multiple incidents to surpass the $950 threshold.
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