LAPD seizes $300,000 worth of merchandise from organized retail theft ring
Officers seized dozens of diaper boxes filled with stolen merchandise during a raid of an organized retail theft ring in the Westlake District Wednesday night.
The Los Angeles Police Department served two search warrants at a business near 6th Street and Alvarado Street. Officers hauled dozens of boxes out of the business and stacked them next to a tractor-trailer along the sidewalk. It appears that many of the items seized were diapers.
"We were stunned," LAPD Cpt. Jay Roberts said. "The amount of stuff we took out of the store didn't look like it could actually fit in the store. Some of it was in crawl spaces, rafters, hidden areas — it was packed with stolen stuff."
In addition to diapers, police found dozens of cases of energy drinks, cosmetics and other items from big box stores. They also believe suspects stole electronics from school districts.
On social media, LAPD officials said the stolen property totaled about $300,000.
Police arrested three people, who they believe are the store owners.
- Lauren Pozen contributed reporting.
