36 arrested, $25K in stolen merch recovered in Southern California raid

In a targeted crime suppression operation dubbed “Smash & Grab,” law enforcement agencies in San Bernardino recovered more than $25,000 worth of stolen retail merchandise and arrested 36 people, authorities announced Monday.  

The operation, which ran between the weeks of July 26 and Aug. 8, focused on areas where authorities with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said there has been a rise in retail theft, including stores in Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville and Chino Hills.  

According to a news release from SBSD, these crimes “often involved organized crews that conspire to commit robberies, burglaries, shelve sweeps and vandalism.”  

“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,” the release stated.  

In images released by SBSD, investigators recovered merchandise that included tools, beverages, packaged beef and poultry, laundry detergent, toiletries, clothing, electronics and a firearm.  

Funds for the crime suppression operation were authorized by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, allowing the sheriff’s department and its partners to increase enforcement services where the crimes are related to quality-of-life issues in the community, the release noted.  

In addition to SBSD and its gang and narcotics division, the San Bernardino Police Department, San Bernardino County Probation Department, Homeland Security Investigations and California Highway Patrol assisted in operation Smash & Grab.