Five Arrested in Cargo Theft Investigation Recovering Over $5 Million in Stolen Property
Five Arrested in Major Cargo Theft Investigation in Southern California
In a significant operation targeting cargo theft, five individuals were arrested, and authorities seized over $5 million worth of stolen property, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported on Thursday.
The arrest was part of an ongoing investigation led by LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division Cargo Theft Task Force, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Port Police, the California Department of Justice, and the California Department of Motor Vehicles Investigations Division. On February 18, authorities executed three search warrants at locations in Corona, Compton, and Wilmington.
During the searches, investigators recovered 84 stolen container chassis, 11 tractors, 25 vehicles, six all-terrain vehicles, and two heavy-duty forklifts, all believed to be linked to fraudulent vehicle identification numbers. Additionally, law enforcement officials confiscated three handguns, several digital devices, and $301,604 in cash.
The total estimated value of the recovered items exceeds $5 million, underscoring the scale of the operation. As the investigation continues, additional arrests are anticipated.
Among those arrested were Jose Del Toro Sr., 43; Maria Ramos, 42; Malissa Del Toro, 25; Jose Del Toro Jr., 23; and Yairet Jimenez, 23—all from Corona. They have been booked on suspicion of grand theft.
Officials emphasized the case’s demonstration of the vital role interagency cooperation plays in addressing large-scale cargo theft and safeguarding commercial supply chains.
