In a decisive response to the surge in retail thefts across San Bernardino County, the Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of two suspects linked to a series of burglaries targeting TJX Company Stores. On June 3, 2024, law enforcement officers apprehended 40-year-old Azusa resident Miguel Rosales, and Iveth Carrion, 39, from Whittier under Operation Smash & Grab - an initiative aimed at combating organized retail crime. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, the duo is accused of stealing merchandise valued at approximately $5,359.78 over an eight-month period.
During their run, Rosales and Carrion allegedly hit numerous stores in the county and its environs, which prompted a collaborative investigation between the Sheriff’s Department Gangs/Narcotics Division and TJX Company Retail Crime investigators. The breakthrough came with the issuance and execution of Ramey Warrants for conspiracy to commit commercial burglary, leading to the arrest of the pair. At the time of their capture, Rosales and Carrion were found with $2,000 worth of stolen goods. The bail for Rosales is set at $50,000, while Carrion faces a $30,000 total, the Sheriff's report outlines.
San Bernardino’s Sheriff’s Department had raised alarms over the rise in aggressive thefts back in November 2023. The culprits, described in the report as "violent criminals," engaged in coordinated strategies to commit their crimes, often terrorizing shoppers with tactics reminiscent of mob rule and shattering the peace of the community. Operation Smash & Grab focuses on key shopping districts like Rancho Cucamonga, and Apple Valley, among others, introducing both conventional and inventive investigative techniques to thwart these brazen theft rings.
With increased funding authorized by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, the Sheriff’s Department has intensified efforts to improve the quality of life by directly addressing the rampant retail-related crimes. The aim is to dismantle the networks behind store thefts which have marred the county with criminal activity, and restore a sense of security in the county’s commercial spaces. New methods and additional resources have been made available to facilitate this crime suppression crusade, giving law enforcement the upper hand in bringing the retail theft epidemic to heel.
