> the law that is meant to protect sources

IANAL. Nor do I know all about journalists' rights v. police procedures, but I am puzzled at all the press and online discussion about "protecting sources":

Seems to me that journalists should be able to protect sources of * information * - which is different than protecting sources of * stolen property† *

___________________

†or "stolen-ish" - whatever Calif calls found property that is supposed to lead to legitimate attempts to return it to rightful owner.