A big retail theft bust in San Bernardino County resulted in the arrest of twenty-eight people.
The week-long operation, which ran from December 7 to 14, centered on the Victoria Gardens Mall in Rancho Cucamonga and several retail businesses in Chino Hills.
Officers from many agencies contributed to the effort. During the operation, 28 people were apprehended, 15 for felonies and 13 for misdemeanors. Authorities also recovered around $10,281 worth of stolen products.
In November 2023, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department became concerned about an alarming increase in retail thefts, which frequently featured organized theft rings.
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“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,” according to officials.
The Sheriff’s Department’s Operation Smash & Grab operation focuses on shopping districts in Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills, with deputies working to disrupt and destroy retail theft crews.
“Investigators utilize conventional and non-conventional investigative methods to accomplish this task and lessen the blight created by these bad actors,” according to SBSD.
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Several law enforcement agencies participated in the operation, including:
- San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department:
- Gangs/Narcotics Division
- Rancho Cucamonga Station
- Los Bernardino County Probation Department
- Homeland Security Investigations.
California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino Police Department.
Anyone with additional information about retail thefts can contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department at 909-884-0156.
Reference: 28 arrested in Southern California retail theft bust
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