Operation Smash and Grab: What You Need to Know in San Bernardino County
A “smash and grab” is a type of retail theft crime in California and may lead to serious penalties for San Bernardino residents. If you are being accused of participating in a smash and grab, you should take your charges very seriously. The authorities in San Bernardino County have initiated a new program called “Operation Smash & Grab,” and its goals are somewhat self-explanatory. Since its inception, this operation has led to dozens of arrests in San Bernardino County. You are now more likely to face serious consequences for retail theft than ever before, and working with a theft defense law firm could prove critical.
What is Operation Smash and Grab?
San Bernardino County launched Operation Smash and Grab back in November of 2023. At this time, numerous businesses were complaining about relentless retail theft in the County – and they demanded action. The Sheriff’s Department answered with a program that promised to crack down on “crews” of shoplifters engaging in organized theft.
The program involves several aspects, including:
- Undercover deputies and detectives in key retail stores
- More prosecutions instead of “catch and release”
- More monitoring of parking lots and license plate numbers
The effects of Operation Smash and Grab have been made clear, and the most important outcome is more arrests. Authorities are now actively cracking down on organized retail theft, devoting considerable resources toward this offense. This means that you are now more likely to face serious charges for a smash and grab in San Bernardino County.
Dozens of People are Being Arrested for Retail Theft
Within the past few months alone, dozens of defendants have been taken into custody on suspicion of retail theft. In June of 2024, Operation Smash and Grab led to “nearly 20 arrests” in San Bernardino County. Authorities also confirmed that they had recovered about $5,000 in stolen assets. Later, reports that these stolen items were “luxury cosmetics.” Seven of these individuals faced felony charges, while the remaining 12 were charged with misdemeanors.
In July of 2024, authorities in San Bernardino County announced a further 27 arrests in connection with Operation Smash and Grab. The operation led to another seven felony arrests with a further 20 individuals facing misdemeanors. Authorities also noted that they were becoming “alarmed” at the increasing numbers of retail thefts and the “intimidation tactics” used by the accused. Images from the arrest show stolen items such as power tools, glasses, and children’s toys, and the total value of all recovered property was almost $10,000.
What Happens if I am Accused of Retail Theft in California?
The penalties for retail theft depend on the value of stolen goods. Generally speaking, retail theft with under $950 worth of stolen items is prosecuted as a misdemeanor in California. Although this is less serious compared to a felony, it may still lead to a maximum jail sentence of six months. However, penalties become more serious if you have prior retail theft convictions on your record.
The most serious penalties are reserved for those who steal items worth more than $950. In this situation, you may face charges of “grand theft” rather than retail theft. Grand theft is a felony, and it may lead to a maximum prison sentence of three years.
In 2014, penalties for retail theft in California became less serious in many situations. However, the Government seems to be going in the opposite direction – and a new bill could enforce stricter penalties for retail theft. Assembly Bill 1772 could create higher penalties for those accused of retail theft with prior convictions. According to the bill, this could lead to up to three years in jail.
Organized Retail Theft is Particularly Serious
Although participating in a smash and grab is a serious offense in California, organizing these criminal activities leads to even more severe penalties. Organized retail theft is a separate offense in California, and it involves participating with others to carry out shoplifting – including smash and grabs. You can face this offense for various acts, including:
- Participating in a smash and grab with two other people (or more)
- Acting as an “agent” of another individual or group carrying out smash and grabs
- Recruiting others to participate in smash and grabs
- Coordinating smash and grabs
- Supervising smash and grabs
- Directing smash and grabs
- Managing smash and grabs
- Financing smash and grabs
In other words, participating in organized retail theft in any way constitutes a serious offense in California. You might organize others to carry out this offense on social media. You might also pay someone else to carry out a smash and grab on your behalf. You might agree to sell the items stolen during retail theft. All of these offenses fall under the same general category of “organized retail theft” in California.
Organized retail theft can lead to jail sentences of up to one year. Prior offenses make subsequent convictions worse, and you might also be ordered to stay away from certain retail establishments. The same $950 threshold exists for organized retail theft, and you might face a felony for exceeding this limit.
How Can I Defend Against Retail Theft?
If you were wrongly accused of retail theft in California, you should know that prosecutors need to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is not always easy, especially if you enlist the help of an experienced theft defense attorney. Cases of mistaken identity are relatively common when it comes to retail theft, and surveillance footage is not always reliable. Your defense attorney can call into question various types of evidence in California.
Find an Experienced Theft Defense Lawyer in San Bernardino County
If you are one of the many people currently facing penalties for retail theft in San Bernardino County, you have every right to defend yourself against charges. A theft defense lawyer may be able to help you mitigate or even eliminate various consequences – including incarceration and fines. Remember, the authorities are taking a strict stance against any smash and grab in the State. While you might have escaped serious penalties in the past, leniency is by no means guaranteed in the current era. Contact Milligan, Beswick, Levine & Knox, LLP criminal defense law firm today by calling us at 909-894-0812 to get started with a defense strategy.
Stephen Levine, is a Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Defense — an honor achieved by only the top criminal law attorneys in California. Mr. Levine has over 40 years of experience in criminal defense and family law serving Southern California, and is a highly regarded Super Lawyer as well as AV Rated attorney.