NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—A signature-gathering effort is underway to increase penalties for repeat smash-and-grab offenders. Rescue California is leading the anti-theft initiative after witnessing an uprising of theft and leniency of criminal prosecution penalties by law enforcement agencies, according to Interim Chair Anne Dunsmore. “Politicians are actually responding to the crisis by making it easier on…

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif.—One man has been arrested and two others are still at large after a Jan. 25 smash-and-grab robbery inside a T-Mobile store, according to Fountain Valley Police. The three males were seen exiting the store at 17850 Newhope Street, carrying Apple iPhones and Apple Watches ripped from the display cases. When the men…

ESCONDIDO, Calif.—A pair of masked men used a vehicle to ram their way into an Escondido jewelry store early today and looted the business. The vehicular smash-and-grab heist in the 300 block of West Mission Avenue took place shortly after 1:30 a.m., according to the Escondido Police Department. After breaking into the shop by crashing…

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Police are searching for four suspects involved in a daytime smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store near Fashion Island. On Jan. 24 at around 3 p.m., four suspects wearing hoodies, masks, and gloves went inside JB Diamonds & Fine Jewelry and used hammers to shatter the display cases, stealing an unknown amount of…

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Police were searching Jan. 25 for four suspects involved in a daytime smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store near Fashion Island. On Monday at around 3 p.m., four suspects wearing hoodies, masks, and gloves went inside JB Diamonds & Fine Jewelry and used hammers to shatter the display cases, stealing an unknown amount…

The District Attorney’s woke policies are contributing to the increase of not only the “smash-and-grab” robberies but other violent crimes in Los Angeles County as well, a former district attorney told the EpochTV’s “California Insider” program. “In many cases, if they had a real prosecutor in Los Angeles, those crooks would be in prison. They…

Commentary Over the past several weeks, videos have been posted on social media depicting so-called “smash-and-grab” robberies in cities across America. Retailers ranging from Bloomingdales to Home Depot have been targeted by mobs of criminals who break into stores, grab armfuls of merchandise, assault employees, and flee. Retailers are growing increasingly concerned with the level…

LOS ANGELES—Following a recent spate of high-profile “smash-and-grab” robberies, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced on Dec. 16 she will provide $1 million from her discretionary budget to boost law enforcement services in unincorporated areas of her district. Los Angeles County Sheriff Department stations that will receive the funding are Altadena, Crescenta Valley, Lancaster, Malibu/Lost Hills,…

LOS ANGELES—The Grove, a mall known for high-end shopping and dining in Los Angeles, added a coil wire fence to enhance security after a spree of smash-and-grab robberies in California amid the holiday season. After being targeted by a burglary last month, the shopping center installed wire fencing at its entrances and exits, and all…

Commentary Across the country, we’re witnessing a shocking, brazen crime pattern called smash and grab. Heavily masked and hooded gangs, deploying crowbars and hammers, and armed with neutralizing chemical spray, smash through store windows and doors frantically grabbing as much high-end merchandise as they can carry out. With swarming teams as large as 80, these…