A Fontana man with a history of theft convictions was arrested on Sunday for grabbing goods from Food 4 Less and trying to make a break for it without paying. Larry Mitchell Townsend, 40, was spotted by deputies from the Rancho Cucamonga Station at a neighboring business after the reported theft at the grocery store located at 12879 Foothill Boulevard. The arrest took place around 10:01 a.m. on December 29, 2024, as reported by the SBSD Rancho Cucamonga Police Department.
Under the influence and having a streak of theft-related offenses, Townsend's latest alleged attempt at petty theft has landed him deeper in hot water due to the recent passing of Proposition 36, which voters ratified on November 5, 2024. This proposition, known as "The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act," effectively rolled back parts of the previous Proposition 47. Seen with the items concealed on his person, Proposition 36 mandates stiffer penalties and thus, Townsend was charged with PC 666.1, which is Petty Theft with Two Prior Convictions, as detailed by the SBSD Rancho Cucamonga Police Department.
Townsend was found to be on Postrelease Community Supervision (PRCS) for prior convictions when he was arrested. He was booked at the West Valley Detention Center. The Rancho Cucamonga Police Department encourages anyone with additional information to come forward or to anonymously report to the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or their website, as the investigation is ongoing. If anyone requires further details on the case (No. 112414313), they are directed to contact Deputy I. Estrada at the Rancho Cucamonga Station by phone at (909) 477-2800.
