East SBV Times

Investigators from multiple agencies conducted a retail theft operation in San Bernardino County, resulting in five felony arrests and 13 misdemeanor arrests. The operation, known as "Operation Smash & Grab," recovered $7,075.68 in stolen merchandise.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department initiated the operation due to rising thefts at retail stores involving organized crews committing robberies and vandalism. These incidents have created an unsafe shopping environment for residents.

"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," stated officials involved in the initiative.

The operation employed both conventional and non-conventional investigative methods to address these crimes. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors provided additional funding to support county-wide crime suppression efforts aimed at improving quality-of-life issues for local communities.

For further information, contact the Public Affairs Division of the Gangs/Narcotics Division at (909) 387-3700.

Shannon D. Dicus serves as Sheriff-Coroner for the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department.