$4.5 Million in Stolen Cargo Recovered as Los Angeles Fencing Operation Dismantled

Los Angeles law enforcement agencies have successfully dismantled a significant criminal enterprise responsible for trafficking millions of dollars in stolen cargo from trains and ports, subsequently reselling the goods through commercial storefronts. The operation, which led to the recovery of an estimated $4.5 million in stolen property, culminated in the arrest of Dojoon Park, 41, of Montebello, identified as the owner of the implicated businesses. The initial tweet from KTLA highlighted this major disruption, stating, "A major law enforcement operation has disrupted a criminal enterprise that involved millions of dollars’ worth of cargo being stolen from Los Angeles trains and ports and then resold at commercial storefronts."

The joint effort involved detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Commercial Crimes Division, Organized Retail and Cargo Theft Unit, in collaboration with the Union Pacific Police Department and Los Angeles Port Police. Search warrants were executed on August 14 and 19 at DJ General Tool and Wire, located in Montebello and Huntington Park. Park was taken into custody on suspicion of receiving stolen property, with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office preparing to file charges.

Authorities recovered a wide array of merchandise, including power tools, appliances, and e-bikes, from well-known brands such as Dyson, Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita. These items, stolen from various points in the supply chain including trains and cargo facilities, were allegedly sold both directly from the storefronts and through online retail platforms. The scale of the recovered goods underscores the extensive nature of the illicit operation.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell emphasized the collaborative success, stating, "Organized cargo and retail theft strikes at the heart of our economy, impacting local businesses, workers, and everyday families." He added that the operation "underscores our Department’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks that profit from stolen goods." Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman echoed this sentiment, asserting that "Cargo theft is not a victimless crime. It hurts businesses, damages the supply chain, and drives up costs for everyone."

The investigation remains ongoing, and law enforcement officials anticipate further arrests as they continue to unravel the network. Hochman delivered a stern warning to those involved in cargo theft, whether as perpetrators or fences, stating, "If you’re receiving these stolen goods, look over your shoulder, because the next commissary that you deal with is not going to be an online marketplace, it’ll be a commissary of a jail or a prison." This bust highlights the persistent challenge of organized cargo theft and the concerted efforts by authorities to safeguard the region's vital supply chain and economic stability.