Cops launch ‘Operation Smash & Grab’ after theft spree at popular mall and found thousands in stolen merchandise
A POLICE sting at a popular mall resulted in dozens of arrests and thousands of dollars worth of merchandise recovered.
The exercise, named “Operation Smash & Grab,” took place in Rancho Cucamonga, California, around 40 miles east of Los Angeles.
Google MapsPolice carried out an operation to catch retail theft at a popular mall in Rancho Cucamonga, California[/caption]
SBSDCops said they recovered thousands of dollars worth of merchandise[/caption]
SBSD‘Operation Smash & Grab’ also resulted in dozens of arrests[/caption]
Cops operated a two-week retail sting at the Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department press release.
A multi-agency activity took place between April 19 and May 12.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said they had recovered $17,705 worth of stolen goods in that time.
They also made 14 felony arrests and 22 misdemeanor arrests.
Cops explained that this operation would also look at different local malls and retail spaces.
“Operation SMASH & Grab focuses its efforts on the Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, and Chino Hills shopping districts to disrupt and dismantle these retail store theft crews,” the cop press release wrote.
The sheriff’s department partly explained what this exercise entailed.
“Investigators utilize conventional and non-conventional investigative methods to accomplish this task and lessen the blight created by these bad actors,” the release said.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department also explained when and why they became more concerned with retail theft in the area.
“In November 2023, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department became concerned with the rise in thefts at retail stores, which often involved organized crews that conspire to commit robberies, burglaries, shelve sweeps, and vandalisms,” the press release said.
“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.”
Retail theft has become a growing concern for stores across the US.
The U.S. Sun has previously reported on other cases of extreme retail theft.
One Target shopper stole $60,000 worth of goods from the store’s self-checkout section.
Anti-theft tactics in stores
Retail theft has become a growing and more concering issue for large and small stores across the country.
Many locations have implemented different anti-theft measures to attempt to block these crimes.
Here is a list of some of the methods used:
Staff conducting receipt checks
Closing self-checkouts in favor of cashiers
High-tech cameras at self-checkouts
Locking items behind plexiglass
Cops said Aziza Graves, 43, was caught due to her payment method.
The shopper reportedly put a “single coin or bill” before fleeing the self-checkout kiosk.
This method led to cops becoming suspicious so they started to track the shopper.
“She was observed selling her stolen goods at UN Plaza to sellers of stolen property,” the DA’s office said.
“She subsequently began to sell her stolen goods to anyone passing by.”
Cops handed Graves a felony count of grand theft and 52 misdemeanor counts of petty theft.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Rancho Cucamonga Police Department for comment.
SBSDPolice recovered $17,705 worth of stolen goods[/caption]
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