Walmart Is Even Locking Up The Ground Beef In California As Out-Of-Control Theft Continues

There have been countless headlines generated by the brazen theft that has flourished in deep-blue regions of the country as leftist politicians and prosecutors essentially cede control of city streets to criminals.

But even if it has become a sign of the times to see products locked up, particularly in drug stores, to prevent theft, one recent anecdote out of California struck many social media users as particularly extreme.

As the New York Post reported:

A San Jose Walmart has reportedly taken anti-theft measures to a new level, placing pricey cuts of beef and even packages of ground meat inside metal security cages to keep would-be shoplifters at bay.

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Influencer Tony Bartleson — better known online as “Meatdad” — posted a video from inside the California store showing rib-eye steaks and ground beef wrapped in wire security devices.

Holding up a cowboy rib-eye priced at nearly $16 a pound, Bartleson quipped: “Welcome to California.”

The video also showed a three-pound package of ground beef locked inside its own metal cage. The clip has racked up more than 3.8 million views.

Here’s a sampling of the reaction:

Why are people stealing meat @RepCarbajal ??

— The Fecal Poster (@TheFecalPoster) July 18, 2026

Retailers don’t spend money locking up products unless the cost of theft leaves them no choice.

— twista (@boarhead1) July 18, 2026

Maybe people should just stop stealing taking what isnt theirs, thats an idea.

— America First Always (@golfboatMAGA) July 19, 2026

Probably racist somehow.

— Red Backpack 🇺🇸✝️🫶🏼 (@RedBackpack83) July 18, 2026

The Sun also reported on his viral post:

“I think most of us want to live in a world where people can put food on the table with dignity, and I hope we continue moving in that direction,” Bartleson continued.

Like many food items, the price of beef has increased over the past year.

The USDA reported the average retail price of beef was a record high of $9.64 per pound in April 2026, up 13% from the previous year, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Continued demand and an unusually small US cattle herd are the causes of beef price increases.

Comparatively, the price of pork increased just 2.3% between April 2025 and 2026, and the price of chicken decreased by 0.7%, according to the Farm Bureau Federation.

Here’s some additional coverage of the frustrating trend impacting retailers across California and beyond: