Two hardware stores in Los Angeles were recently revealed to be fronts for a sprawling cargo theft ring responsible for stealing over $4.5 million in goods, according to the LAPD.
Authorities say DJ General Tool & Wire’s locations in Montebello and Huntington Park were being used as distribution hubs for a criminal operation targeting trains, trucks, and cargo ships across Southern California. The stolen merchandise included high-end tools, e-bikes, and household appliances from well-known brands like Dyson, Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita.
Store owner Dojoon Park, 41, of Montebello, was arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property. Prosecutors are preparing charges that could lead to years in state prison.
“We are in the process of fully evaluating the crimes that he has committed,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. “We anticipate charges … that will involve maximum sentences.”
The investigation involved the LAPD, Union Pacific Police, and Los Angeles Port Police, who tracked stolen goods from specific theft incidents back to Park’s physical stores and online business platforms.
Police emphasized that cargo theft has a ripple effect far beyond immediate financial losses. “It’s not a victimless crime,” LAPD Chief Dominic McDonnell said. “It affects retailers, distributors, and ultimately, all of us as consumers.”
The stolen goods were allegedly resold through fencing operations — illegal businesses that buy and distribute stolen items, often to unsuspecting buyers. Authorities warned that all participants, from the original thieves to transporters and resellers, will be aggressively prosecuted.
“This investigation is far from over,” said LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton. “We intend to pursue every individual involved at every level of this operation.”
The bust is the latest in a series of major cargo theft recoveries in Los Angeles. So far this year, the LAPD has seized nearly $4 million in stolen goods from various organized crime groups, including $2.7 million in bitcoin-mining equipment.
