From the outside, DJ General Tool & Wire’s two storefronts in Los Angeles County seemed like any other neighborhood hardware stores. Their windows displayed power tools and appliances, and the aisles were stocked with familiar brands. But, according to authorities, these shops in Montebello and Huntington Park were at the heart of a sprawling cargo theft ring that siphoned millions of dollars’ worth of goods from the city’s vast transportation network.
On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell announced the culmination of a months-long investigation that uncovered what he described as a "massive cargo theft ring." The operation, run out of DJ General Tool & Wire’s two locations, allegedly trafficked stolen goods taken from trains, trucks, and cargo ships passing through the region. The scope was staggering—an estimated $4.5 million in merchandise, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The cache of stolen items read like a shopping list for a high-end hardware retailer: power tools, e-bikes, and appliances from well-known brands such as Dyson, Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita. These weren’t just pilfered from local warehouses; police say they were taken directly from the arteries of Southern California’s supply chain—trains rolling through rail yards, trucks on the freeway, and even shipping containers at the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest container port in the United States since 2000.
At the center of the alleged operation is 41-year-old Dojoon Park of Montebello, the owner of DJ General Tool & Wire. He was arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property, a charge that carries serious consequences given the scale of the alleged crimes. The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office made clear at a press conference that it intends to file charges that could lead to maximum sentences in state prison. District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters, "We are in the process of fully evaluating the crimes that he has committed, and we anticipate charges being brought against him ... that will involve maximum sentences of years of state prison time."
The investigation was a collaborative effort, drawing in not just the LAPD but also the Union Pacific Police Department and the Los Angeles Port Police. Their joint work helped connect the dots between cargo theft incidents stretching across the region and the goods being funneled through Park’s stores—and, authorities say, sold on online platforms as well. The scale and sophistication of the operation surprised even seasoned detectives, who noted that organized crime rings have become increasingly adept at intercepting and diverting valuable shipments moving in and out of Southern California.
"It’s also important to remember that cargo theft is not a victimless crime," Chief McDonnell emphasized during the news conference, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. "It affects retailers, distributors and ultimately all of us consumers. Protecting the integrity of our supply chain is vital to public safety as well as the economic stability of Los Angeles."
The bust comes at a time when law enforcement agencies across the country are grappling with a surge in cargo theft. The Port of Los Angeles, serving as a critical gateway for goods entering the U.S., has long been a target for sophisticated criminal operations. In fact, the LAPD reported that this year alone, it recovered nearly $4 million in cargo stolen by a single organized crime ring—including a haul of bitcoin-mining computers worth $2.7 million.
The role of a "fence"—a person or business that buys and sells stolen goods, acting as a middleman between thieves and buyers—was central in this case. The stores appeared legitimate to the casual eye, but police allege they served as elaborate fronts to launder stolen merchandise into the legitimate market. As explained in the Los Angeles Times, "fencing" operations like these are crucial to the success of cargo theft rings, allowing criminals to profit while concealing the origins of the goods.
District Attorney Hochman did not mince words when addressing those who might be tempted to participate in such schemes. "If you’re out there on the tracks right now thinking you can go ahead and rip off Union Pacific or BNSF or any of the railroads, think differently," he warned. "If you’re receiving these stolen goods, look over your shoulder, because the next commissary that you deal with is not going to be an online marketplace, it’ll be a commissary of a jail or a prison."
The investigation is far from over. Authorities say more arrests are expected as they continue to unravel the network of individuals involved—not just those who physically stole the goods, but everyone along the chain, from transportation to the final sale. LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton made it clear: "All of the individuals that are involved, from the inception of the theft, the provisioning of the theft ... the eventual transport to the fencing operation, they are all susceptible to being arrested and charged—and charged vigorously."
The economic impact of cargo theft in Los Angeles cannot be overstated. As Chief McDonnell pointed out, the ripple effects are felt far beyond the companies whose products are stolen. Retailers and distributors face higher costs, which are often passed on to consumers. Insurance premiums rise, and the reputation of Los Angeles as a reliable port city comes under threat. District Attorney Hochman underscored the stakes: his priority, he said, is to crack down on cargo theft and "ensure that Los Angeles can uphold its reputation as one of the best port cities for companies bringing goods into America."
Detectives involved in the case described a growing sophistication among organized crime groups targeting cargo. They employ technology and insider knowledge to identify vulnerable shipments, coordinate thefts, and move stolen goods quickly into the legitimate market. The recovery of nearly $4 million in stolen cargo this year alone is a testament to both the scale of the problem and the resolve of law enforcement to combat it.
For now, the shuttered hardware stores in Montebello and Huntington Park stand as stark reminders of the hidden world of cargo theft operating in plain sight. As the investigation continues and charges are filed, authorities hope that this high-profile bust will send a clear message to would-be thieves and fences alike: the days of easy pickings in Los Angeles’ supply chain may be coming to an end.
The story of DJ General Tool & Wire is a cautionary tale for businesses and consumers alike, highlighting the importance of vigilance and the far-reaching consequences of organized theft. In a city that thrives on trade and transportation, protecting the integrity of the supply chain is more than just good business—it’s essential to the fabric of Los Angeles itself.
