Twenty-nine suspects were arrested during a massive retail theft bust in San Bernardino County.
The nearly two-week operation took place from May 3-16 and focused on the Victoria Gardens mall in Rancho Cucamonga.
Officers from multiple agencies collaborated in the effort. During the operation, 29 suspects were arrested — 15 were felony arrests and 14 were misdemeanor arrests. Authorities also recovered around $4,402 worth of stolen merchandise.
In November 2023, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department became concerned with a troubling rise in thefts at retail stores which often involved organized theft rings.
“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,” authorities said.
The sheriff department’s Operation Smash & Grab effort focuses on shopping districts across Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville and Chino Hills as deputies work to disrupt and dismantle retail theft crews.
“Investigators utilize conventional and non-conventional investigative methods to accomplish this task and lessen the blight created by these bad actors,” SBSD explained.
Several law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation including:
- San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Gangs/Narcotics Division
- Rancho Cucamonga Station
- San Bernardino County Probation Department
- Homeland Security Investigations
- California Highway Patrol
- San Bernardino Police Department
Authorities did not release the identities of the 29 suspects. Anyone with additional information on retail thefts can call the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department at 909-884-0156.
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