Victorville's latest theft case has seen the arrest of a 37-year-old suspect, with multiple charges laid against him under the fresh Proposition 36 law, which California voters ratified back in November to beef up sanctions on theft-related offenses and to address issues tied to homelessness and drug addiction. San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies apprehended Steven Legleiter, a resident of Hesperia, in connection with a theft reported at a Skechers store on Bear Valley Road, on Wednesday, at about 11:08 a.m., according to an official statement from the department.
Walking near the scene, Legleiter was located and detained after deputies conducted an area check following the incident. A subsequent investigation linked him not only to the theft at Skechers but also at local Home Depot, the arrest summary detailed. During the booking process at High Desert Detention Center, deputies discovered a clear plastic bag containing a substance believed to be a controlled drug, which led to an additional charge for bringing drugs into a jail facility. After carrying out the theft at the Skechers store, Legleiter threatened a public official, as revealed by the Sheriff's Department.
The new legislation under Proposition 36 has allowed for enhanced sentencing and prohibitions on cite release before court appearances for offenders like Legleiter. He is now facing charges that include Petty Theft with Two Prior Convictions, Bringing Drugs into Jail, Threatening a Public Official, and Violation of Parole, the Sheriff's Department notes. Given the gravity of these charges, Legleiter's encounter with the law seems to emphasize the proposition's broader intent to crack down on repeat offenders in the community.
Members of the community with further information about the ongoing investigation into Steven Legleiter's activities have been encouraged to get in touch with the Victorville Police Station directly or through Sheriff’s Dispatch. For those preferring confidentiality, the option to contact the We-Tip hotline anonymously or leave the information on their website is available, the press release highlighted by Deputy G. Leos stated.
