Shoplifters in Aurora will go to jail for three days if they steal more than $100 worth of merchandise, according to a bill proposed by City Council member Danielle Jurinsky.
The Public Safety, Courts and Civil Service Committee discussed the bill Thursday. The committee agreed to move the bill on to the full council for a vote.
Currently, shoplifters only serve a jail sentence if they steal more than $300 worth of merchandise. According to assistant city attorney Pete Schulte, most thieves are aware of Aurora’s law and therefore only steal less than $300 worth of merchandise.
Aurora Municipal Court handles thefts of $999 and less. The county processes cases of $1,000 or more. Aurora court saw 123 jury trials in 2023 for shoplifting compared to 48 in 2022.
Schulte said county convictions often don’t end in jail time. He said he hopes shoplifters don’t start stealing more than $1,000 just to avoid jail time.
The city already has a mandatory jail sentence for those stealing $300 or more worth of merchandise. For shoplifters who are repeat offenders, the bill would impose a 90-day minimum jail sentence. Those who have been convicted of shoplifting three times would serve a minimum 180 days in jail.