(KRON) -- Proposition 36 only went into effect two days ago, but it's already making a difference in the Bay Area by giving police officers more power to book suspected retail thieves into jail. The Antioch Police Department wrote on Friday, "Would you look at that! Prop 36, voted on by you, is making immediate impacts on the community!" Officers received a 911 call reporting that a "sneaky thief" was inside a Target store shoplifting. APD Officer Pedreira responded within one minute and spotted the man loading stolen items into a white Escalade, according to police. (Photo courtesy Antioch Police Department) Investigators said the thief is a repeat offender. "He was detained, and thanks to Prop 36 and his history of theft, his misdemeanor is now a felony. He was transported and booked into jail," the police department wrote. Without the passage of Prop 36, the man would have likely received a citation for a misdemeanor and remained out of custody, police said. APD explained, "Last week, this habitual swindler’s five-finger-discount would have earned him a citation, today it earned him a felony charge and a trip to jail." (Photo courtesy Antioch Police Department) On November 5, California voters passed Proposition 36, also known as the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, by a landslide. Prop 36 officially took effect on December 18. It modified existing law and added more severe punishments to theft crimes, drug-related crimes, and repeat offenses. It also removed some criminals' eligibility to serve their sentence in county jail instead of state prison. (Photo courtesy Antioch Police Department) Earlier this week, law enforcement agencies across California were instructed by state Attorney General Rob Bonta to fight organized retail crime "head on" by enforcing Prop 36. Bonta said, "Ultimately, our success in combating organized retail crime hinges on our ability to work together, innovate, and remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting our neighborhoods and businesses."