Modesto company loses $1.2 million to cargo theft. Merchandise will be returned
The stolen merchandise seized during a Southern California investigation last week included $1.2 million in clothing owned by First Tactical, a Modesto-based company.
Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department conducted the Feb. 18 search in an Ontario warehouse as a part of “cargo theft” investigation, according to an LASD news release.
The operation seized 22 pallets owned by First Tactical, which sells clothing and tactical gear for first responders. Also recovered were 21 pallets of Mattel/Fisher Price toys valued at $250,000 and nine pallets of Amazon freight valued at $100,000.
The Sheriff’s Department has not explained how the Modesto company’s merchandise ended up in the warehouse in Ontario. As of Wednesday, there were no arrests.
“We are still investigating and working leads to see if it leads us to other property,” said Detective Jason Smith of the Major Crimes Bureau .
Smith said the unit was investigating another case when it came across the stolen merchandise . He said the department is working to return the $1.5 million in merchandise to the owners.
LASD is conducting an investigation focused on organized retail theft. Detectives work in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies, retail crime task forces and federal authorities.
State Assemblyman Juan Alanis, R-Modesto, called attention to the growing problem of cargo theft when he introduced Assembly Bill 1972 as part of a bipartisan legislative package dealing with retail theft. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Alanis bill into law in August 2024.
Cargo theft is essentially theft of transported goods, but it’s increasingly done by organized groups using sophisticated techniques. And it’s rampant in Southern California.
Alanis wrote the bill to provide resources and equipment to jurisdictions that see a large amount of cargo theft.
Anyone with information on the Southern California case may contact the Organized Retail Crime Task Force at ORCTF@lasd.org or 562-946-7270. Crime Stoppers receives anonymous tips at 800-222-8477.
