The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said investigators conducted a retail-theft operation in Rancho Cucamonga from Sept. 12 to Oct. 3; the effort produced 15 arrests and recovered about $3,900 in property.

Nine arrests were misdemeanors and six were felonies; the department’s Gangs/Narcotics Division worked with patrol deputies and personnel from partnering agencies during the operation.

The department said the sweep is part of "Operation Smash and Grab," which it launched after reporting a rise in retail thefts at stores beginning in November 2023; the operation focuses on shopping districts in Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville and Chino Hills.

The Board of Supervisors authorized additional funding for the Sheriff’s Department; the department said that funding allowed for increased law-enforcement services aimed at disrupting organized crews that conspire to commit robberies, burglaries, shelf sweeps and vandalism.

Sources & methodology

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County of San Bernardino

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