Investigators, both undercover and in uniform, made a collective 122 arrests during a targeted crime suppression called “Operation Smash and Grab” in San Bernardino County, officials said.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced Monday that from Nov. 23 to Dec. 21, officials from various agencies spearheaded the operation at multiple shopping districts throughout the county.
The sheriff’s department said the focused areas included Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills, “to disrupt and dismantle these retail store theft crews.”
“During the operation, investigators made 38 felony arrests, 84 misdemeanor arrests,” SBSD said in a release. In addition, officers conducted hundreds of traffic enforcement stops and pedestrian checks.
According to officials, participating officers used conventional and non-conventional investigative methods to carry out the operation.
The sheriff’s department also noted that recently passed Proposition 36, “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act,” applied to seven of the felony arrests.
The proposition, which SBSD said took effect on Dec. 18, reforms multiple laws from Proposition 47, which have been responsible for increasing homelessness, drug addiction and theft.
“Proposition 36 includes several new Penal and Health and Safety Codes that deputies will be able to apply during arrests when appropriate,” stated the release. “These new charges can carry enhanced sentencing, as well as prevent offenders from being cite released prior to their court appearance.”
In total, SBSD said it recovered $26,710.49 in property during this operation.
