The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, in collaboration with the California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies, has renewed their joint efforts to safeguard consumers and businesses against retail theft this holiday season. Dubbed Operation Smash and Grab, the initiative follows the precedent set by last year’s success in combatting organized retail crime, as reported by the Sheriff's Department's announcement. Officers, including undercover personnel, will be present at various retail locations throughout the county to deter and disrupt criminal activities.
In an innovative real-time response mechanism, loss prevention staff and store managers will have the ability to directly contact investigators to address crimes in progress. A vehicle, equipped with an Automated License Reader, will patrol parking lots to identify stolen vehicles and assist in ongoing investigations, which will monitor parking lots for any suspicious activity. District Attorney Jason Anderson emphasized the judicial support in this endeavor, stating, "This holiday season, our office remains focused on ensuring the safety of our community and businesses."
Key figures released from Operation Smash and Grab, spanning from December 2023 to November 2024, include 12 search warrants, 166 felony arrests, 360 misdemeanor arrests, and over $205,000 in recovered property. Acknowledging the role of local enforcement in public safety and loss prevention, Sheriff-Coroner Shannon D. Dicus announced a tougher stance on retail theft following Proposition 36, detailing, "the Sheriff’s Department will no longer issue citations to offenders, and we will jail those who choose to commit retail theft."
The operation’s success is evidenced not just by the recovered property but also by the increased arrests, which signal a policy shift in handling retail theft. Citizens and business owners are encouraged to remain vigilant and are assured that local law enforcement is committed to maintaining a secure shopping environment. For more information or inquiries, the Public Affairs Division can be contacted at (909) 387-3700, as provided in the aforementioned announcement.
