Porch Pirates Could Face Prison Time Under Proposed California Law

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Porch pirates could face prison time under a proposed California law.

Senator Brian Jones (R-Santee) introduced the measure Wednesday to increase penalties on people who steal packages from homes.

The proposed law would allow prosecutors to charge porch pirates with a felony if they’re convicted of package theft two or more times within three years.

Currently, stealing a package is only a misdemeanor.

More from CBS Sacramento:

• Sacramento African-American Teens Forced Off Flight In Mask Dispute
  
• Newly-Appointed El Dorado County Official Posed With Proud Boys While Dressed As Santa
  
• Dog Who Kept Watch Over Owner Found Dead In Snow Finds New Family
  

Jones says the current law treats package theft differently than burglaries inside a home.

“Many of these porch pirates are habitual offenders who keep dodging real punishment for their crimes,” Jones said in a press release.

The bill, SB 358, is awaiting assignment to a Senate policy committee.