Los Angeles DA candidate Nathan Hochman visits Kitson's infamous shoplifter 'mugshot' window as he vows to end lawlessness in the city and bashes 'woke' incumbent

Former Federal Prosecutor and Assistant US Attorney General Nathan Hochman is the sole challenger against 'woke' Los Angeles DA George Gascon Hochman, 60, stopped by the Kitson store in Los Angeles to check out its controversial windows that displays photos of shopliftersHe told DailyMail.com it's unfortunate that retailers have to take matters into their own hands because the DA is 'not doing his job' 

He has vowed to end the 'spiral of lawlessness' in Los Angeles that has accelerated since the election of a soft-on-crime DA four years ago.

Former federal prosecutor and Assistant US Attorney General Nathan Hochman has been hitting the pavement hard since becoming the sole challenger to advance against progressive DA George Gascon after the March 5 primary, beating out ten other candidates.

Now the polar opposites will face a runoff this November to lead the agency that handles cases in the most populated county in the United States.

Hochman, 60, stopped by the Kitson store in Los Angeles on Friday to check out its controversial windows that reveal the current DA's policies that critics say favor criminals over their victims.

Calling the windows 'innovative' he told DailyMail.com and owner Fraser Ross it was unfortunate that retailers have to take matters into their own hands because the DA is clearly 'not doing his job.'

Nathan Hochman, 60, stopped by the Kitson store in Los Angeles to check out its controversial windows that displays photos of shoplifters

Four 'mugshot' panels on the window showcase individuals of all walks of life who were caught on camera in the iconic store stealing small items

The former federal prosecutor and Assistant US Attorney General Nathan Hochman is the sole challenger against 'woke' Los Angeles DA George Gascon

Four 'mugshot' panels on the window showcase individuals of all walks of life who were caught on camera in the iconic store stealing small items like a 'Do I look like I fly coach?' baseball cap, to expensive jewelry, clothing and more.

In each case, Kitson posted the images of the alleged shoplifter on its Instagram and asked if anyone recognized them – and they did.

'The surprising thing is that we found out some of these thieves owned multi-million dollar homes in Pacific Palisades and the Brentwood section of Los Angeles,' Ross told Hochman.

'Some are highly paid brand influencers, and there was even an older man who ran AA meetings stealing from us.

'You have women carrying $40k Hermes Birkin bags stuffing a $30 candle inside it, not realizing they're being watched on camera.

'They drive off in brand new Range Rovers and Bentleys.

'It's completely out of control – like the Wild West. We fill out a police report and you never hear from anyone about it again. That's why we decided to name and shame the thieves on our windows and it has become a big attraction.'

Many of the shoplifters have returned or paid for the stolen items after being put on blast.

'We haven't had a problem with shoplifting since the windows went up a few weeks ago,' says Ross.

'But just in case I have another whole window that can be utilized!'

Shoplifting is now de facto legal in California, Gascon critics claim.

State law says that taking anything under $950 or less is a misdemeanor crime and it is unlikely law enforcement will even investigate it because the DA's office will just let it go.

Criminals know that it is unlikely an employer will ask an employee to risk their life over a Free City hoodie or a Kai candle, so they are able to do as they please, usually without consequence.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon has been deemed 'woke' and soft on crime

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Gascon, 70, is accused of being hard on criminals when they attack his pals like John Legend – who supported his run in 2020 and is doing so again this year

Hochman says he will enforce laws already on the books.

'If you can prove intent to steal before you walk in, that can be charged as a felony burglary under a more punitive law,' he said.

On the November ballot there will be another proposition, he says, called the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Retail Theft Redemption Act – which just got 900,000 signatures.

Robert F Kennedy Sr. was assassinated in Los Angeles in 1968 during his presidential run by Palestinian-born Sirhan Sirhan, now 80

'We don't know what it will be numbered, but it is targeted to repeat offenders. It says look, if you do this three or four times the third and the fourth crimes now become felonies from misdemeanors and you can go to state prison for that.

'I hope the voters will approve it.'

Gascon, 70, can be hard on criminals when he wants, his critics say.

In 2022, his friend John Legend, 45, who supported his run in 2020 and is again this year, was in a recording studio when a suspect attempted but failed to steal his Porsche sports car.

TMZ reported at the time a man walked up to the vehicle, sat inside, and was looking for the keys or some other way to start it when security personnel at the studio saw him on surveillance cameras called the cops.

When they arrived, the man initially said the car was his, and then got out and began walking away. After a short foot chase the man was arrested and charged suspicion of grand theft auto and held on $85k bail.

'John Legend got first class VIP treatment from George Gascon's District Attorney's office,' claimed Hochman. 'That proves again that Gascon has exceptions to his policies for donors and when the media puts heavy scrutiny on his actions.'

Criminals are flourishing under 'progressive' laws, he said.

Zero bail or other policies without consequences for lawbreakers are said to be an effort to level the playing field for 'victims of an unfair society.'

Hochman tells the DailyMail.com he is being championed by two famously Democrat Kennedy family members, Max, 59, and Rory, 55.

Their father Robert F Kennedy Sr. was assassinated in Los Angeles in 1968 during his presidential run by Palestinian-born Sirhan Sirhan, now 80. Sirhan is currenty in jail in San Diego.

'Sirhan Sirhan had gone through 15 parole hearings and each time the DA sent a prosecutor with the Kennedy family to give them a voice on why he should have [parole] denied and it was denied.

'The 16th time unfortunately for the Kennedy's, Gascon was the DA, he has a policy never to send prosecutors with victim's families when they confront their murderers at parole hearings.

'And lo and behold in 2022 he was granted parole.

Hochman told DailyMail.com it's unfortunate that retailers have to take matters into their own hands because the DA is clearly 'not doing his job'

Hochman was among 11 candidates who stoood in the primary to challenge George Gascon. He won through and the two men will face off on November 5

But parole is still subject to the Governor's approval and Gavin Newsom reversed that grant right afterwards.

'So Max and Rory had never supported someone running against a Democrat and I'm running as an independent,' said Hochman.

'For the first time they said look, George Gascon is a disaster. He's hurt victims, not just them but hundreds of victim's families, he's hurting the safety of Los Angeles.

'They've met me they believe in what I can do to restore law and order here in LA County.'

Sirhan has another parole hearing scheduled for August 16.