March 21, 2026 – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials report that from December 2025 through February 2026, LASD Major Crimes Bureau Cargo Criminal Apprehension Team (CCATS) detectives served 13 location search warrants in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties as part of an ongoing investigation into organized crimes and cargo theft. The search warrant operations concluded with the arrest of nine suspects.
Detectives seized approximately seven million dollars of stolen cargo freight and one million dollars in U.S. currency. Thirty-six companies (e.g. JB Hunt, Amazon, Sony, LG, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Costco, Wolff Shoes, Monster Energy, and Disney) were affected by these thefts.
The stolen cargo freight recovered included but was not limited to: Hisense televisions, LG microwaves, Cannon printers, Wolff shoes, Sony Soundbars, Milwaukee tools, golf carts, ATVs, Disney clothing, LG appliances, Jelly Cat plush animals, Axil XCor Pro headphones, Black & Decker tools, Craftsman tools, Pentair pool equipment, Ring cameras, Style Craft hair clippers, Mastercool AC units, Monster Energy drinks, Classica Cordials Premium Liquor, and cosmetics.
The suspects were arrested and booked on charges of Grand Theft Cargo, 487 (h) P.C.; Money Laundering, 186 P.C.; and Receiving Stolen Property, 496(a) P.C. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Office for filing consideration.
To combat organized retail theft, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department formed the Organized Retail Crimes Task Force (ORCTF) in September 2023. The task force is composed of three teams: Organized Retail Crimes Task Force (ORCTF), Cargo Criminal Apprehension Team (CCATS), and the Burglary and Robbery Task Force (BRTF). They operate out of LASD’s Major Crimes Bureau and are dedicated to investigating, identifying, and apprehending suspect(s) of organized retail crimes.
Detectives work in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies, other organized retail crime task forces, and federal partners to address retail theft incidents.
If anyone has information regarding cargo theft, please contact the Organized Retail Crimes Task Force at: ORCTF@LASD.ORG, or 562-946-7270. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you may call “L.A. Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Source & photos: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
