Between the weeks of September 26, 2024 and October 11, 2024, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Gangs/Narcotics Division, Rancho Cucamonga Station, San Bernardino County Probation Department, Homeland Security Investigations, California Highway Patrol, and the San Bernardino Police Department conducted a retail theft operation throughout San Bernardino County.

During the operation, investigators made six felony arrests,and  20 misdemeanor arrests. Stolen property totaling $16,130.26 was recovered.

In November 2023, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department became concerned with the rise in thefts at retail stores, which often involved organized crews that conspire to commit robberies, burglaries, shelve sweeps, and vandalisms. These violent criminals terrorize the citizens of San Bernardino County by utilizing intimidation tactics and a mob mentality that creates an unsafe and uncomfortable shopping environment for our residents.

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Operation SMASH & Grab focuses its efforts on the Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills shopping districts to disrupt and dismantle these retail store theft crews. Investigators utilize conventional and non-conventional investigative methods to accomplish this task and lessen the blight created by these bad actors.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors authorized funds to assist with county-wide crime suppression. The intent is to provide additional funding to the Sheriff’s Department, allowing for increased law enforcement services related to quality-of-life issues affecting the communities in our county.