Aaron Tolentino and Alix Martichoux

36 mins ago

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A sign posted outside the Louis Vuitton store in downtown San Francisco this week caught the attention of the internet. Photos of the sign began circulating on social media and have since gone viral — one X-post has more than 7.7 million views.

The sign, which reads “STOLEN MERCHANDISE MUST BE UNDER $950,” appears to mock California’s anti-shoplifting law.

In this state, shoplifting is only a felony if the value of the stolen items exceeds $950. Shoplifting for less than that amount is a misdemeanor. That's been the case since voters passed House Bill 47 in 2014.

A spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Public Works told Nexstar's KRON that the sign was not put up by the city. The spokesperson added that a city employee was sent to inspect the sign on Sunday.

However, when the worker arrived on site, no sign could be found.

A San Francisco Police Department spokesman confirmed to Snopes that the sign existed but had been removed.

“We can confirm that this unauthorized sign was posted and immediately removed upon discovery,” said Officer Robert Rueca.

Another photo of the same sign was also seen outside a nearby Dior store that was the victim of a break-in last fall. Items valued at around $150,000 were stolen from the luxury designer store.

The theft at the Dior store is one of many shoplifting incidents that have occurred in San Francisco's Union Square neighborhood over the years. In 2021, the Louis Vuitton store was robbed and looted.