Between May 3 and May 16, 2024, law enforcement agencies collaborated in a targeted operation, dubbed Operation Smash & Grab, to combat retail theft in the Rancho Cucamonga area. The initiative involved investigators from various departments, including the Rancho Cucamonga Station, the Gangs/Narcotics Division, the San Bernardino County Probation Department, Homeland Security Investigations, California Highway Patrol, and the San Bernardino Police Department.
During the operation, law enforcement officials made a total of 11 felony arrests and 11 misdemeanor arrests, recovering stolen property worth $5,955. Operation Smash & Grab was launched in response to the increasing incidents of retail theft, particularly involving organized criminal groups engaged in robberies, burglaries, and vandalism. These activities have contributed to creating an unsafe shopping environment, prompting authorities to take proactive measures to address the issue.
Funding was authorized by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to support county-wide crime suppression efforts, allowing for enhanced law enforcement services to tackle quality-of-life concerns in communities across the county. The operation primarily targeted shopping districts in Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills, aiming to disrupt and dismantle retail theft crews utilizing various investigative methods.
