Law enforcement agencies in San Bernardino County conducted a targeted retail theft operation, named Operation Smash & Grab, between August 9 and August 29, 2025. The effort took place at the Victoria Gardens shopping center in Rancho Cucamonga and involved investigators from 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.
The operation resulted in 14 felony arrests and 21 misdemeanor arrests. Authorities also recovered $5,162 worth of stolen property.
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, concerns about increasing retail thefts began in November 2023. These incidents often involved organized groups committing robberies, burglaries, shelf sweeps, and vandalism. The department stated that these crimes have created an unsafe environment for shoppers in the county.
Operation Smash & Grab focused on shopping districts in Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills. Investigators used both conventional and non-conventional methods to target organized retail theft crews.
Funding for this operation was authorized by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to support county-wide crime suppression efforts. The goal is to provide additional resources to law enforcement for addressing quality-of-life issues in local communities.
A change in state law also played a role during the operation. On November 5, 2024, California voters approved Proposition 36—known as “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act.” This measure took effect on December 18, 2024 and amended laws previously established under Proposition 47. The new legislation allows deputies to apply new charges during arrests that can result in enhanced sentencing or prevent offenders from being released before their court appearance. Six of the arrests made during Operation Smash & Grab were affected by Proposition 36.
“Operation SMASH & Grab focuses its efforts on the Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills shopping districts to disrupt and dismantle these retail store theft crews. Investigators utilize conventional and non-conventional investigative methods to accomplish this task and lessen the blight created by these bad actors,” according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
“The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors authorized funds to assist with county-wide crime suppression. The intent is to provide additional funding to the Sheriff’s Department allowing for increased law enforcement services related to quality-of-life issues affecting the communities in our county,” said officials from the department.
“On November 5, 2024 California voters passed Proposition 36 titled ‘The Homelessness Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act.’ The proposition took effect on December 18th of last year and reforms multiple laws from Proposition 47 which have been responsible for increasing homelessness drug addiction and theft. Proposition 36 includes several new Penal and Health and Safety Codes that deputies will be able to apply during arrests when appropriate. These new charges can carry enhanced sentencing as well as prevent offenders from being cite released prior to their court appearance. Proposition 36 applied to six of the above arrests,” according to information provided by the department.
