Lawmakers Propose Cracking Down on Serial Larcenists

OKLAHOMA CITY — State lawmakers are proposing expanding the time police have to aggregate the crimes of serial larcenists, but critics say it would be a mistake.

State Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, said his measure, Senate Bill 334, would expand the period that larceny offenses could be aggregated from 90 to 180 days in a bid to give law enforcement additional time to link suspects to multiple crimes.

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Brett Tolman, a former U.S. Attorney, said the measure appears to be “an answer in search of problem, and it’s the wrong answer.”

Tolman, who spent 25 years in the criminal justice system, is perhaps best known for his final case — successfully prosecuting the Utah kidnappers of Elizabeth Smart. He now spends his time doing national criminal justice policy work.

He said there is value to aggregating theft offenses within a short timeframe because there’s a pattern in practice that might suggest bigger criminal issues or consequences.