Los Angeles detectives say they cracked a sprawling cargo theft operation on Wednesday, arresting two people and seizing more than 55 pallets of suspected stolen goods from a Van Nuys warehouse that officers value at roughly $1 million.
The takedown unfolded after coordinated search warrants across the city. Investigators with the LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division Cargo Theft Task Force searched locations in North Hills, West Los Angeles, Sunland, and Van Nuys, including a warehouse in the 16700 block of Stagg Street, authorities said. There, officers say they found pallets stacked with clothing and high-demand household brands.
The suspects were identified as 25-year-old Hannah Noto of North Hills and 26-year-old Jude Bigay of Sunland. Both were booked on suspicion of receiving stolen property.
According to detectives, the seized merchandise included products from brands such as EDIKTED, ALO, SKINS, Ariat, Milwaukee, Ninja, Dyson, and Duracell. The haul was valued by police at approximately $1 million. Investigators say the pair admitted defrauding multiple clothing companies and selling the property on the live-shopping app Whatnot, as reported by MyNewsLA.
How police say the scheme worked
Detectives describe the case as a classic fencing operation, with stolen freight allegedly moving through warehouse storage and online resale channels before landing in the hands of buyers who likely had no idea where it came from. This was not exactly a mom-and-pop side hustle, officers suggest, given the scale of the seizure.
The arrests were the result of a multi-agency probe. Partner agencies working with the LAPD included Union Pacific and BNSF railroad police, Los Angeles World Airport Police, and personnel from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. The collaboration, police told MyNewsLA, underscored how joint work is critical in "combating large-scale cargo theft."
A growing problem for the region
Cargo theft has been climbing nationwide in recent years, and California remains one of the country’s top hot spots. The National Insurance Crime Bureau has reported steep increases in incidents and rising estimated losses tied to stolen freight.
Closer to home, law enforcement in Southern California has turned up several large stashes of suspected stolen cargo in recent months, shining a light on how organized crews can quietly route goods through warehouses and online marketplaces. Regional reporting has documented multiple multi-agency takedowns in the area, including a multi-county $7 million cargo bust that spanned three counties.
Legal implications
For Noto and Bigay, the initial booking was on suspicion of receiving stolen property, a crime that can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the value of the goods and the circumstances. California’s Penal Code addresses receiving stolen property in Section 496, which is outlined by the California Legislature.
When cargo stolen is valued above $950, prosecutors can also pursue a specific charge of grand theft of cargo, covered under Section 487h of the Penal Code, as set out by the California Legislature. Prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges once they have reviewed the evidence collected by investigators.
What investigators say is next
Detectives say they are now digging into digital devices and transaction records to trace how the goods moved, who may have handled them along the way, and where the items were ultimately sold. That paper trail, both physical and electronic, will help prosecutors determine how to frame any potential charges.
The investigation remains ongoing. According to local reporting, anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the LAPD Commercial Crimes Division Cargo Theft Unit at 213-486-8766.
