Prop 36 Arrest in Kern County

The Kern County District Attorney’s Office has filed felony charges against a man under the newly passed Proposition 36. The office says the suspect allegedly stole from the Target store at The Park at Riverwalk in southwest Bakersfield and has a history of theft-related convictions. Prosecutors say Dustin Towery and another person allegedly stole two electric scooters valued at nearly $900 from the store and ran out a rear emergency exit without paying for the items. Towery allegedly has six prior theft convictions ranging from 2018 to 2020. This is the first case under Prop 36 in Kern County. The measure was voted into law November 5 and became effective on December 18.