Los Angeles releases 14 criminals related to smash-and-grab style crimes

Fourteen individuals were arrested in Los Angeles for alleged smash-and-grab style crimes over the last two weeks, The Los Angeles Times reported.

LA officials announced the arrests after criminals stole more than $330,000 worth of goods since Nov. 18, targeting high-end stores and even smashing windows with sledgehammers.

Thirteen adults and one juvenile face charges in connection with six incidents, The Los Angeles Times reported. 

Since the arrests were announced, however, all 14 suspects in connection with the crimes have been released.

According to Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore, the criminals have been released – some without having to post bail – thanks to a zero-bail policy that was implemented last year for crimes, including burglary, that is meant to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in prisons, NBC reports.  

Such policies have come under scrutiny in recent months after a number of those released participated in high-profile crimes, including a recent incident which left six people dead after a convicted criminal drove his car through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisc.

He had been released from jail after his most recent alleged crime on $1,000 bail.

California, along with other major cities, has seen an increase in mass looting incidents in the past few weeks, with incidents reportedly starting on the weekend before Thanksgiving with the burglary of high-end stores in San Francisco’s famed Union Square.

Authorities in the Golden State are limited in their response, however, as a 2014 law (Proposition 47) makes retail thefts of up to $950 misdemeanors instead of felonies. This ultimately means that fewer burglaries are fully prosecuted.

Last month, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee sent a letter to the New York City district attorneys “requesting information on excessive bail in the NYC court system.” 

In the letter – whose authors include Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Rep. Jamie Raskin and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez – the Democratic lawmakers suggested that “excessive bail” results in increased rates of incarceration and ultimately keeps prisoners in jail longer than necessary. 

"We have grave concerns that excessive bail amounts are leading to unnecessary pretrial detention and contributing to a humanitarian crisis in New York City’s jail system, particularly on Rikers Island," the letter stated.  

Their letter further warned that "if these conditions are not addressed, federal intervention may be necessary to protect detainees from additional harm."

"High bail amounts lead to a two-tiered system of justice, with those who can afford bail being able to escape the inhumane conditions at pretrial detention facilities such as Rikers Island while those who cannot afford bail are forced to remain," the letter stated.