East SBV Times

Between February 15 and February 28, 2025, a retail theft operation was conducted throughout San Bernardino County by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department's Gangs/Narcotics Division and Rancho Cucamonga Station. The operation also involved the San Bernardino County Probation Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the California Highway Patrol, and the San Bernardino Police Department.

The operation led to four felony arrests and 20 misdemeanor arrests, with $4,796 in property recovered. This initiative is part of efforts to address rising thefts at retail stores often involving organized crews that commit robberies, burglaries, shelf sweeps, and vandalism.

Operation Smash & Grab targets shopping districts in Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills. It aims to disrupt these theft crews using both conventional and non-conventional investigative methods.

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has authorized additional funds for county-wide crime suppression. These funds are intended to enhance law enforcement services addressing quality-of-life issues within communities.

On November 5, 2024, California voters passed Proposition 36 titled “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act.” This proposition took effect on December 18, 2024. It reforms laws from Proposition 47 related to homelessness, drug addiction, and theft. Proposition 36 introduces new Penal and Health and Safety Codes which can result in enhanced sentencing during arrests.

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