SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA — Some 28 arrests were made in the Inland Empire during a retail theft sweep conducted by sheriff’s deputies, authorities announced.
Between Dec. 7 and 14, authorities recovered $10,281.80 in property and made 15 felony arrests. The remaining 13 arrestees received misdemeanor charges.
The theft operation was conducted at Victoria Gardens Shopping Center in Rancho Cucamonga and retail stores across Chino Hills, according to the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department.
The bust was coordinated in response to rising retail crime thefts across the Inland Empire, where police say business owners are at risk of falling victim to organized crime groups and smash-and-grab operations.
It was in November of last year when the sheriff’s department started to take note of a rise in incidents involving robberies, burglaries, shelve sweeps and vandalisms.
“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,” deputies wrote in a statement on Tuesday.
Funding for the sweep came from the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, according to the statement.