In a concerted effort to tackle the rise in retail thefts, San Bernardino County law enforcement agencies have successfully concluded a sweeping initiative known as Operation Smash & Grab, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The operation, undertaken by personnel from the Gangs/Narcotics Division of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, the Rancho Cucamonga Station, the Probation Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the California Highway Patrol, and the San Bernardino Police Department, took place between July 26 and August 8, 2024, and spanned across various shopping districts throughout the county.
As a result of the intensive efforts, law enforcement made 36 arrests, which included 17 felony arrests and 19 misdemeanor arrests, with more than $25,000 worth of property recovered during the two-week operation. The operation targeted groups known for organized retail crime, which had been plaguing the county, involving robberies and burglaries, and engaging in practices such as shelve sweeps and vandalism. The latter reportedly utilized intimidation and "a mob mentality" to terrorize shoppers, creating a climate of fear and discomfort in shopping areas.
The Sheriff's Department emphasized that the operation was critical in disrupting the criminal activities of these organized theft crews; focusing its attention on the retail environments of Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills, the operation aimed to undermine the criminal networks and restore a sense of security among shoppers and residents. Various investigative methods, both conventional and otherwise, were employed to combat the criminal activity and lessen the impact of these offenders on the local community.
Backing the operation, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors authorized additional funding designed to support crime suppression activities across the county, directly contributing to these 36 arrests and property recovery.
