As shoppers prepare for Black Friday deals, law enforcement officers throughout San Bernardino County are gearing up for a large-scale campaign to combat retail theft and arrest thieves, officials said Wednesday.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department will be working with the California Highway Patrol and other are law enforcement agencies, as well as county businesses, under the county’s long-running “Operation Smash and Grab.”
“Personnel will be in an undercover capacity at retail areas throughout the county,” the sheriff’s department said in a written statement. “Loss prevention professionals and managers in participating stores will contact investigators directly for real-time communication to target in-progress crimes.”
Deputies also plan to monitor parking lots at busy retail locations and use automated license plate readers to look for stolen vehicles and other cars sought in connection with criminal investigations, officials said.
“Our goal remains unchanged: to ensure the safety of our residents while disrupting and dismantling retail theft crews that prey on businesses in our area of responsibility.”
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Retail thieves to be jailed, not cited
Those caught stealing can expect harsher punishments than in recent years, Sheriff Shannon Dicus said.
California voters passed Proposition 36 in the November election, will increased potential penalties for some crimes, including retail theft.
“In San Bernardino County, our commitment is to protect our retail stores and small businesses impacted by theft,” Dicus said. “As a result of the passing of Prop. 36, the sheriff’s department will no longer issue citations to offenders, and we will jail those who choose to commit retail theft. This commitment is our priority, ensuring the safety and security of the residents and retailers in our county.”
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office also plays a vital roll in the campaign as prosecutors work alongside investigators and file criminal cases against the suspects arrested by deputies.
“This holiday season, our office remains focused on ensuring the safety of our community and businesses,” District Attorney Jason Anderson said. “By working with law enforcement and businesses across the county, we will seek prosecution and accountability for individuals who engage in unlawful behavior such as retail theft crimes, buying or selling stolen property, or organized crime schemes at multiple locations.”
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Over the past year, officials working under Operation Smash and Grab have made 166 felony arrests and 360 misdemeanor arrests, while recovering more than $205,000 worth of stolen goods, sheriff’s officials said.
