Thieves often strike Bakersfield stores in broad daylight
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - From jewelry store heists to pilfering at a Panama Lane gas station, thieves are targeting Bakersfield businesses small and large, often in broad daylight.
"The Bakersfield Police Department gets calls for theft, shoplifting in particular, multiple times a day every week, 365 days a year," Sgt. Brian Holcombe said.
On June 1, surveillance footage caught two men robbing a local convenience store. Police are still looking for the man seen snagging a case of lottery tickets.
And at Valley Plaza Mall, shoplifting is year round, from November's glass-shattered jewel theft, to just a few weeks ago, when the Apple store was robbed for a third time in recent months.
Even Bakersfield's local food bank, Gleaner's, has seen a spree of thefts throughout 2018.
"We're constantly a target for theft and vandalism," Glen Ephrom, Golden Empire Gleaners executive director, said.
"Apparently there's people out there with a desire to do what they want to do that is greater than having a sense of community," Ephrom said.
The consequences are less severe these days for shoplifting, which may be a factor as to why thieves are so brazen. Two years ago, Proposition 47 changed store theft from a felony to a mere misdemeanor, if the losses were less than $950.
Gleaners is stepping up its security, taking stock of its precious goods before someone else does.
"Prevention obviously is the best measure at this point," Ephrom said.
