Five suspects were taken into custody after three search warrants were served in Corona, Compton and Wilmington in connection with a cargo theft investigation involving more than $5 million worth of property that has since been recovered, police announced Friday.
Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Division’s Cargo Theft Task Force, assisted by personnel from the California Department of Justice’s Tax Recovery in the Underground Economy Program and the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ Investigation Division, conducted a search operation on Wednesday as part of an ongoing multi-agency investigation into the theft of container chassis, police said.
The five suspects, all residents of Corona, were identified as Jose Del Toro, 43, Maria Ramos, 42, Malissa Del Toro, 25, Jose Del Toro Jr., 23, and Yairet Jimenez, 23.
During the search, investigators seized 84 stolen container chassis, 11 tractors, 25 vehicles, six all-terrain vehicles, and two heavy-duty forklifts believed to be linked to fraudulent vehicle identification numbers, police said.
Three handguns, multiple digital devices and $301,604 in cash were among additional items recovered in the search.
According to police, all five suspects were arrested and booked at the 77th Street Community Police Station jail on suspicion of grand theft.
“Through this collaborative enforcement effort, the total estimated value recovered property exceeds $5 million,” police officials said in a statement.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional arrests are expected.
Police officials said the case underscores the importance of interagency collaboration in combating large-scale cargo theft and preserving the integrity of commercial supply chains.
Anyone with information regarding the case was urged to call the Commercial Crimes Division at213-486-8766between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Calls during non-business hours should be directed to877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at800-222-8477or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
