The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Industrial Plastic Theft Task Force, based at the City of Industry station, recovered $24,000 worth of stolen trademark plastics during a bust Wednesday night.
The raid, which took place in the 9300 block of 7th Street in the city of Rancho Cucamonga, resulted in the arrest of two unnamed male suspects, who have been charged with possession of known stolen property, according to a news release. The two suspects, one from Rancho Cucamonga and the other from Montclair, were booked at the San Bernardino-West Valley Detention Center.
A third male, who is believed to be the mastermind of the operation, was identified but has not been arrested, authorities said. An attorney for the third suspect contacted authorities and vowed to turn his client in as soon as today.
Additional suspects may be involved. The investigation is ongoing, authorities said..
The plastic products belong to the U.S. Postal Service. Investigators discovered the stolen goods at a warehouse following a lengthy investigation related to the theft.
At the warehouse, the plastic products were being stored with the suspects allegedly intending to grind them down to make them untraceable and ready to be sold on the black market, authorities said.
This is the third plastics bust the task force has made in January.
Earlier in the month, task force members discovered and shut down two other similar illegal operations, one in South El Monte and the other in Lynwood.
Nine suspects were arrested and charged with possession of known stolen property during those busts.
The City of Industry funds the task force, which has been operating since September 2011. During its tenure, investigators have recovered and returned $6.7 million worth of stolen trademarked plastic products to victimized businesses. The task force has arrested 65 suspects, seized numerous pieces of equipment used in the illegal operations, and shut down 28 locations used to get the trademarked plastic products ready for sale on the black market.
