In an operation spanning two weeks aimed at curbing the menace of retail theft, agencies across San Bernardino have been hard at work. The multi-agency "Operation Smash & Grab," conducted from January 3 to January 16, 2026, brought together the efforts of 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. This retail theft operation focused on the Rancho Cucamonga shopping corridors, resulting in one felony arrest, three misdemeanor arrests, and the recovery of $493 in property.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, troubled by a spike in thefts at retail stores since November 2023, witnessed organized crews employing intimidation and causing unsafe conditions for shoppers. These activations of law enforcement aim to disrupt the organized crime affecting the retail corridors of Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills. According to a statement obtained by officials, the investigators used a mix of conventional and non-conventional methods to combat the problem and mitigate the disruption caused by these criminal elements.
Support for this initiative came from the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, approving funds specifically for crime suppression efforts. This funding was designated to bolster law enforcement services to address quality-of-life concerns for the communities spread across the county. Furthermore, the recently passed Proposition 36, called “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act,” which voters approved on November 5, 2024, applied to one of the arrests during the operation. This act modifies the previous Proposition 47 and adds new charges that carry enhanced sentences and address issues of homelessness, drug addiction, and theft.
The operation’s outcomes, detailed by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, signify a continued pursuit toward restoring a sense of safety in shopping areas. Operation SMASH & Grab is just a slice of a larger county-wide commitment to reduce crime and its impact on residents' daily lives. The intent behind the additional funding and enforcement changes is to ensure that communities do not suffer under the shadow of organized retail crime. For further details on the operation and its impact, the public can refer to the official report published by the Sheriff's Department.
