Chino police credit new retail-theft team, Measure V funding with decline in shoplifting

Chino Police Chief Kevin Minson told the City Council on Jan. 21 that a retail-theft team established in June 2024 has helped reverse an upward trend in shoplifting, with department figures showing a 10% decline in reported retail theft from June through December and a 5% reduction for the entire year.

The team, created after retail theft rose 53% in 2023 and continued to climb in early 2024, was funded through Measure V and staffed with two specialized investigators assigned to organized retail theft work. "This team consists of two specially trained investigators who partner with business owners and other law enforcement agencies to combat this theft," Minson said. He identified the two investigators as Corporal Jete and Officer Cremona.

Why it matters: Chino business owners and shoppers told the council they want visible enforcement. The department said the team’s work — combined with departmentwide holiday enforcement, overtime patrols and partnerships with loss-prevention staff — led to arrests, recovered merchandise and a seasonal drop in incidents.

Key details presented to the council: - June–December 2024: department-wide retail theft down 10%; overall 2024 retail theft down about 5% compared with 2023. - Holiday enforcement: police investigated 114 reported incidents, resulting in 74 arrests (a 65% arrest clearance rate for those cases) and an estimated 20% reduction in retail theft during the holiday season compared with 2023. - Team outcomes (June–Dec. 2024): 44 arrests attributed to the organized retail theft team; 24 search warrants served; more than $27,000 in recovered property; only four arrestees were Chino residents, the department said. - Notable investigations: a Burlington Coat Factory case involving about $30,000 in stolen merchandise recovered and weapons seized during a related search warrant; an Ulta theft ring the department tied to more than $100,000 in coordinated losses across multiple counties.

Minson described outreach steps the department took: pre-event planning with loss-prevention staff, social-media posts about enforcement, portable electronic message boards in shopping areas and public awareness messaging to deter offenders. He also said staff will meet with retailers to explain recent changes in law (including updates tied to Proposition 36) and how businesses can use civil tools such as restraining orders.

Council members praised the effort and asked staff to continue coordinating with businesses; several council members commented that the results would help the city recruit and retain commercial tenants. The report did not propose new legislation; it summarized operational results and next steps for business outreach and education.