What started as a quiet evening in Newport Beach quickly turned into a fast-moving investigation, according to the Newport Beach Police Department.
On July 11, 2025, at 5:43 p.m., two suspects walked into a local store, casually browsing racks of women’s athletic wear. But this wasn’t shopping; it was a planned theft.
In seconds, the pair grabbed armfuls of high-end gear worth over $10,000 and bolted from the store. Security quickly relayed their escape into a gray sedan, and NBPD units swarmed the area.
Minutes later, a sergeant spotted the getaway car. As officers prepared for a high-risk stop, the suspects made their move, hitting the gas and fleeing from police.
A pursuit was on.
NBPD patrol units coordinated with regional law enforcement as the chase moved out of Newport Beach.
The pursuit finally ended in Los Angeles, where the suspects were taken into custody and were later booked into the NBPD Jail.
Investigators later learned this wasn’t an isolated hit. The same suspects are tied to multiple high-dollar thefts throughout Orange County and Los Angeles County.
This case is a clear reminder: retail theft isn’t just shoplifting, it’s organized, deliberate, and costly. With quick coordination between dispatch, officers, security, and outside agencies, the suspects are now behind bars, and the investigation continues.
Based on California’s updated laws as of 2025, the suspects involved in the Newport Beach organized retail theft and subsequent police chase face multiple serious charges and penalties:
1. Organized Retail Theft
Under Penal Code 490.4, organized retail theft is now a permanent felony offense in California. This applies when two or more individuals coordinate to steal merchandise, especially from multiple locations or using planned methods.
Penalties include:
- Felony charges if the total value of stolen goods exceeds $950, even if accumulated over multiple incidents or counties.
- 16 months to 3 years in state prison.
- Courts may issue retail theft restraining orders, banning convicted individuals from entering affected stores for up to 2 years.
- Possession of stolen goods over $950 with intent to resell is also a felony, punishable by up to 3 years in jail.
2. Multi-County Theft Ring
If thefts occurred across multiple counties, prosecutors can aggregate charges and consolidate them into a single felony case. This increases the likelihood of harsher sentencing and simplifies prosecution.
In similar cases, suspects have faced:
- Conspiracy charges
- Grand theft
- Receiving stolen property
- Money laundering
For example, in a recent multi-county Home Depot theft ring, the ringleader faced 48 felony counts and up to 32 years in prison.
3. Fleeing from Police (Reckless Evading)
Under Vehicle Code 2800.2 VC, fleeing from police with reckless driving is a felony.
Penalties include:
- 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison
- Fines between $1,000 and $10,000
- Vehicle impoundment for up to 30 days
- Driver’s license suspension
If the evasion caused injury or death, penalties escalate to up to 10 years in prison.
4. Additional Consequences
- Repeat offenders face enhanced penalties, including automatic felony classification even for lower-value thefts.
- Online resale of stolen goods is now closely monitored, and platforms must report suspicious activity.
- Probation periods for theft-related crimes have been extended to two years, with mandatory rehabilitation for younger offenders.