Operation Smash & Grab Continues and Makes a Total of 15 Arrests
October 29, 2025 – San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials report that between the weeks of October 11, and 
October 24, 2025, 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 in the area of the Rancho Cucamonga Shopping corridor.
During the operation, investigators made seven felony arrests, eight misdemeanor arrests, and recovered $3,937 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.
On November 5, 2024, California voters passed Proposition 36 titled “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act.” The proposition took effect on December 18, 2024, and reforms multiple laws from Proposition 47, which have been responsible for increasing homelessness, drug addiction and theft. Proposition 36 includes several new Penal and Health and Safety Codes that deputies will be able to apply during arrests when appropriate. These new charges can carry enhanced sentencing, as well as prevent offenders from being cite released prior to their court appearance. Proposition 36 applied to six of the above arrests.
DATE: October 28, 2025
INCIDENT: Targeted Crime Suppression-Operation Smash & Grab
LOCATION(S): Retail Establishments Throughout Rancho Cucamonga
Refer: Public Affairs Division
Station: Gangs/Narcotics Division
Phone No. (909) 387-3700
Case No. 112510566, 112510574, 112510584, 112510599, 112510606, 112510722, 112510760, 112510765, 112510769, 112510800, 112510801, 112510803, 112510827, 112511003, 112511051
Source: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
