Law Enforcement Agencies Conduct Retail Theft Operation in Rancho Cucamonga
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA — Investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies concluded a retail theft enforcement action, identified as Operation Smash & Grab, in Rancho Cucamonga between December 20, 2025, and January 2, 2026. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Gangs/Narcotics Division coordinated the effort alongside the Rancho Cucamonga Station, San Bernardino County Probation Department, Homeland Security Investigations, California Highway Patrol, and the San Bernardino Police Department.
The operation resulted in two felony arrests and 12 misdemeanor arrests. Law enforcement officials reported the recovery of $4,276 in property during the two-week period. This initiative is part of a broader strategy established in November 2023 to address organized retail theft, including robberies, burglaries, and shelf sweeps. Operation Smash & Grab utilizes both conventional and non-conventional investigative methods to target theft crews across the shopping districts of Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills.
Funding for these increased law enforcement services was authorized by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. The allocation is intended to address quality-of-life issues by providing the Sheriff’s Department with additional resources for county-wide crime suppression.
This specific operation follows the implementation of Proposition 36, titled “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act,” which California voters passed on November 5, 2024. Effective as of December 18, 2024, the legislation reforms previous laws from Proposition 47. The new provisions include Penal and Health and Safety Codes that allow for enhanced sentencing and can prevent certain offenders from being released on citation prior to court appearances. Officials confirmed that the new statutes under Proposition 36 were applied to one of the arrests made during this operation.
