Authorities have apprehended a woman accused of a violent retail theft in Hesperia that resulted in serious injury to a grocery store employee, as per the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. The incident, occurring on May 15th at Stater Bros. Markets, involved suspect Ginny Nicholson, 25, who attempted to leave the establishment with concealed alcohol. An employee intervening was assaulted, suffering a broken nose and lacerations.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department reported that Nicholson fled the scene but was subsequently identified through an investigation led by the department's Gangs/Narcotics Division, which specializes in targeting retail theft. After obtaining a Ramey Warrant, Nicholson was arrested on May 21st for robbery and assault, detailed in a new release accessible via Nixle.
Facing a bail set at $50,000, Nicholson has been detained at the High Desert Detention Center. In response to the concerning uptick in retail thefts and related violence, the so-called Operation SMASH & Grab was initiated by the county’s sheriff's department, aiming to disrupt retail theft rings and restore safety in the local shopping districts as reported by Nixle.
These crimes have not only resulted in direct physical harm but also contribute to a broader atmosphere of fear, as reiterated by the sheriff’s department. Shoppers have felt the ripple effects of these crimes, with certain regions like Rancho Cucamonga and Victorville experiencing similar threats. The Board of Supervisors has hence authorized additional funding to combat these disturbances more effectively and perpetrators like Nicholson, who terrorize everyday citizens.
Investigators employed a variety of techniques to identify Nicholson who, after assaulting an employee trying to perform their duty, thought to have evaded justice. The employee's current condition has been shared by local news outlets, including KTLA, stating "The Stater Bros. Market employee was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated for a broken nose and lacerations."
