In a bold defiance of recently enacted legislation aimed at curbing crime in California, a daring group of thieves targeted three different 7-Eleven stores in Los Angeles, according to NBC. Just hours after Governor Gavin Newsom signed a comprehensive package of laws to combat smash-and-grab robberies, a swarm of approximately 30 "kids and teenagers" stormed the convenience stores, grabbing food and drink items before fleeing on bicycles.

The crime spree began at the 7-Eleven on West Sunset Boulevard, where the group shattered a window and made off with stolen goods. They then swiftly moved on to another store near Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, allegedly assaulting a worker in the process. A third store on Santa Monica Boulevard suffered a similar fate, with the thieves breaking a front window and snatching over $2,000 worth of items, including a box of chargers.

Store surveillance footage suggests that the group of teens captured on video during Friday's robberies may be the same culprits responsible for targeting two other 7-Eleven locations in the area last week. Shockingly, the footage reveals the thieves ransacking the stores without covering their faces, leaving their identities exposed.

Governor Newsom had hailed the recently signed bills as a turning point in California's fight against rampant criminal behavior. The bipartisan package of 10 bills establishes harsher penalties for repeat offenders and individuals involved in organized reselling schemes. One key provision permits prosecutors to combine the value of stolen items from multiple victims and counties, thereby meeting the criteria for felony grand theft and imposing stricter penalties for smash-and-grab incidents and large-scale reselling operations.

The reform bill has drawn bipartisan support from the California Legislature, though some progressive Democrats expressed concerns about its punitive nature and did not vote in favor. Furthermore, the legislation seeks to address cargo thefts and close a legal loophole that hindered the prosecution of auto thefts, irrespective of whether the vehicle was locked. It also requires online marketplaces like eBay to collect bank account and tax identification information from high-volume sellers.

Interestingly, while Democratic leadership is attempting to project a tough-on-crime stance, they are urging voters to reject Proposition 36, a ballot measure that proposes felony charges for repeat shoplifters and certain drug offenses, advocating for stricter sentencing for such crimes. Governor Newsom and fellow Democrats unsuccessfully attempted to prevent Proposition 36 from appearing on the November ballot, fearing that it would disproportionately affect low-income individuals and those struggling with substance abuse.

As California grapples with rising retail theft, the brazen series of 7-Eleven robberies highlights the challenges faced in curbing crime. Despite the new legislation, the audacious group of thieves proves that more work needs to be done to tackle the persistent issue of lawlessness in the Golden State.