SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A San Francisco shoplifter, 29-year-old Jason Barber, is no stranger to the criminal justice system. He has seven theft-related convictions on his record, prosecutors said. Barber is slated to be arraigned at the Hall of Justice on Friday afternoon for new charges stemming from yet another shoplifting incident that he allegedly carried out Christmas Eve.
This time, Barber is facing more severe charges — his case marks the city’s first case filed under Proposition 36, prosecutors said.
Prop 36 was passed in November by California voters who were fed up with rampant retail thefts. The new law, which went into effect on December 18, increased punishments for repeat shoplifters. Instead of citing and releasing suspects for misdemeanors, thieves with long rap sheets are now arrested and charged with felonies.
Prop 36 making immediate impact in Antioch, police say
Barber allegedly spent his Christmas Eve stealing from a Walgreens store on Castro Street in Noe Valley. Prosecutors said he placed cough and cold medications worth more than $400 into a bag and left without paying. Officers found Barber at a Muni bus stop a few blocks away and arrested him.