Los Angeles police say a sprawling cargo theft investigation hit pay dirt this week, with search warrants turning up more than $5 million in allegedly stolen property and five people booked on suspicion of grand theft. The Wednesday raids zeroed in on locations tied to an alleged cargo-theft operation and turned up heavy equipment, dozens of vehicles and a six-figure pile of cash. Detectives stressed the probe is far from over, with more arrests expected as they sort through the evidence.
According to NBC Los Angeles, officers served warrants in Corona, Compton and Wilmington. Investigators impounded 84 stolen container chassis, 11 tractors, 25 vehicles, six all-terrain vehicles and two heavy-duty forklifts that police believe are tied to fraudulent vehicle identification numbers. They also seized three handguns, multiple digital devices and $301,604 in U.S. currency during the searches.
Multi-agency cargo crew runs the takedown
The enforcement push was led by the LAPD Commercial Crimes Division Cargo Theft Task Force, working with Los Angeles Port Police, the California Department of Justice Tax Recovery in the Underground Economy Program and the California Department of Motor Vehicles Investigations Division. The Cargo Theft Unit, which handles thefts from railcars, trailers and commercial trucks, coordinates multi-agency efforts to track and recover stolen loads, according to the LAPD.
Five booked on suspicion of grand theft
Investigators arrested Jose Del Toro Sr., 43, Maria Ramos, 42, Malissa Del Toro, 25, Jose Del Toro Jr., 23, and Yairet Jimenez, 23, all listed as residents of Corona, and booked them on suspicion of grand theft, NBC Los Angeles reported. Detectives said they plan to dig into the seized digital devices and transaction records to map out how the cargo moved and where it may have been sold.
Why cops say cargo theft keeps climbing
Large-scale cargo theft has been a growing concern for law enforcement across the Southwest, with organized crews targeting freight trains, warehouses and commercial shipments, then pumping the goods through fence operations and online markets, reporting by the Associated Press shows. Local investigations have repeatedly turned up stolen merchandise resold through storefronts or online platforms, including a 2025 Los Angeles case that exposed a $4.5 million fencing operation, the Los Angeles Times reported.
How to reach investigators
Anyone with information tied to the current investigation is asked to call the LAPD Commercial Crimes Division Cargo Theft Unit at 213-486-8766 between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., authorities said. Detectives said they will be scrutinizing the recovered digital devices for evidence of fraudulent pickups, sales channels and any wider networks that may have been involved in the alleged scheme.
Legal context
The suspects were booked on suspicion of grand theft, and under California law cargo valued at more than $950 can be charged as grand theft. Prosecutors will decide on formal charges as the case moves forward. For the statute governing cargo theft, see California Penal Code §487h.
