East SBV Times

On September 5, 2024, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Gangs/Narcotics Division were contacted by Stater Brothers Security regarding a robbery that occurred on July 31, 2024, at the market in Adelanto.

During the investigation, Rahnia Turner was identified as the suspect who entered the store and concealed items in a bag. When she attempted to exit the store, she was approached by uniformed security personnel. Rahnia pushed the uniformed security officer, pulled out pepper spray, and threatened to assault the security guard with the spray. The uniformed security officer moved away from Rahnia and she fled the store. Rahnia was also identified as the suspect in a robbery that occurred in Colton where an employee was pepper sprayed.

On September 6, 2024, investigators located Rahnia in San Bernardino and arrested her for armed robbery and assault with a chemical agent. She was booked at the Central Detention Center in lieu of $90,000 bail.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department expressed concern over the rise in thefts at retail stores, often involving organized crews conspiring to commit robberies, burglaries, shelve sweeps, and vandalisms. "These violent criminals terrorize the citizens of San Bernardino County by utilizing intimidation tactics and a mob mentality that creates an unsafe and uncomfortable shopping environment for our residents."

Operation SMASH & Grab focuses its efforts on Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills shopping districts to disrupt and dismantle these retail store theft crews. Investigators use conventional and non-conventional investigative methods to accomplish this task and lessen the blight created by these bad actors.

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 for increased law enforcement services related to quality-of-life issues affecting communities in the county.

Refer: Public Affairs Division

Station: Gangs/Narcotics Division

Phone No.: (909) 387-3700

Case No.: 242401775

Shannon D. Dicus

Sheriff-Coroner

San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department