East SBV Times

Between December 7 and December 14, 2024, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department led a coordinated operation targeting retail theft in Rancho Cucamonga and Chino Hills. The effort involved multiple agencies, including the 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 28 arrests—15 on felony charges and 13 for misdemeanors—and the recovery of $10,281.80 in stolen property. This initiative was part of "Operation Smash & Grab," which aims to address increasing thefts by organized criminal groups that engage in robberies and vandalism at retail stores.

Concerns about these crimes were raised by the Sheriff's Department as early as November 2023 due to their impact on community safety. The department described these offenders as using intimidation tactics that contribute to an unsafe shopping environment.

"Operation Smash & Grab" targets areas like Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills with a combination of conventional and unconventional investigative techniques. These efforts are intended to dismantle theft rings and improve public safety.

The operation received support from the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors through funding aimed at enhancing law enforcement services related to quality-of-life issues within local communities.

For more information on this operation or other related cases, contact the Public Affairs Division or the Gangs/Narcotics Division at (909) 387-3700.

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