Southern California investigators recovered about $7 million in stolen cargo and roughly $1 million in cash after serving 13 search warrants across Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The seizures are tied to thefts from shipments for 36 companies, including Amazon, Costco and T.J. Maxx. Nine people were arrested and booked on charges such as grand theft cargo, money laundering and receiving stolen property. Authorities said the recovered merchandise ranged from electronics and appliances to tools, footwear and recreational vehicles.
California Cargo-Theft Bust: $7M In Stolen Goods And $1M Cash Recovered; Nine Arrested
Stolen goods and cash from the California cargo bustCredit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Law enforcement in Southern California recovered roughly $7 million in stolen merchandise and about $1 million in cash after a months-long probe into organized cargo theft, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) said.
Between December 2025 and February 2026, LASD’s Major Crimes Bureau Cargo Criminal Apprehension Team executed 13 search warrants across Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Detectives said the searches produced the recovered items and seized cash, which investigators traced to thefts from cargo shipments tied to 36 companies.
Who Was Affected
LASD identified victims that included major retailers and distributors such as JB Hunt, Amazon, Sony, LG, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Costco, Wolff Shoes, Monster Energy and Disney.
Cash, sneakers and additional products recovered in the California cargo theft bustCredit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Recovered Items
Recovered goods spanned electronics, appliances, footwear, tools, recreational vehicles and consumer products. Items listed by LASD included Hisense televisions; LG microwaves and other appliances; Canon printers; Sony soundbars; Wolff shoes; Milwaukee, Black & Decker and Craftsman tools; Pentair pool equipment; Ring cameras; Mastercool AC units; golf carts and ATVs; Disney clothing; Jellycat plush toys; Axil XCor Pro headphones; Style Craft hair clippers; Monster Energy drinks; Classica Cordials premium liquor; and assorted cosmetics.
Arrests and Charges
Nine people were arrested in connection with the scheme. The suspects were booked on charges that include grand theft cargo, money laundering and receiving stolen property, LASD said.
LASD did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment. The department credited a multi-jurisdictional effort and ongoing investigative work for identifying and seizing the goods and cash. The recovery represents one of the larger coordinated busts targeting organized cargo theft in the region.
Note: Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the operation and how the stolen shipments were intercepted and distributed.
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