A 41-year-old man was taken into custody during an operation that local authorities said today dismantled a “significant” storefront operation that was trafficking in millions of dollars in stolen cargo and retail goods.
Dojoon Park of Montebello was arrested last Thursday and booked at the Metropolitan Detention Center on suspicion of receiving stolen property. He was booked and released the same day, according to jail records.
Police said detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department Commercial Crimes Division, Organized Retail and Cargo Theft Unit led the investigation, with Union Pacific Police Department and Los Angeles Port Police investigators assisting in the service of search warrants at DJ General Tool and Wire at two separate locations on Thursday and Tuesday.
The first location was in the 1200 block of South Greenwood Avenue in Montebello, while the second investigation was conducted in the 1900 block of East Gage Avenue in Huntington Park, police said.
Police stated that during the investigation, detectives recovered about $4.5 million worth of property taken during train and cargo burglaries. The items included power tools, appliances, e-bikes, and other miscellaneous goods, such as products from Dyson, Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita, which were allegedly being sold through both the storefront and online platforms.
“This case is a powerful example of what law enforcement can achieve when we work together,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said in a statement.
He said organized cargo theft “strikes at the heart of our economy, impacting local businesses, workers, and everyday families” and asserted that the operation underscores the department’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks that profit from stolen goods.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that although cargo thefts are often perceived as victimless crimes, they actually harm businesses, disrupt the supply chain, and increase costs for everyone.
“More importantly, it undermines the safety of our communities. Please know that when organized crime rings exploit our transportation system, we will identify them, dismantle the operations, and hold individuals fully accountable for their actions,” Hochman said.
The investigation remains ongoing, with detectives anticipating possible additional arrests, police said.
Anyone with information regarding the cargo theft was urged to contact the LAPD Commercial Crimes Division at 213-486-5920 between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Calls during non-business hours or weekends should be directed to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org