Operation Smash & Grab Focuses on Rancho Cucamonga and Chino Hills; 28 Arrests Made and Property Recover 

December 19, 2024 – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials report that between December 7 and December 14, 2024, 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 conducted a retail theft operation at the Victoria Gardens Shopping Center and retail stores in Chino Hills.

During the operation, investigators made 15 felony arrests, 13 misdemeanor arrests, and recovered $10,281.80 in property. 

In November 2023, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department became concerned with the rise in thefts at retail stores, which often involved organized crews that conspire 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 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. 

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.

DATE: December 17, 2024

INCIDENT: Targeted Crime Suppression-Operation Smash & Grab

LOCATION(S): 12505 North Main Street, Rancho Cucamonga 

Retail stores in Chino Hills

Refer: Public Affairs Division 

Station: Gangs/Narcotics Division

Phone No. (909) 387-3700

Case No. 112413549, 112413568, 112413647, 112413693, 112413755, 112413793, 112413794, 662400681, 662400682, 662400683, 662400684, 662400686, 662400687, 662400689, 662400690, 662400691, 662400692, 662400693, 222403648

Source & photos: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department