LOS ANGELES — A man who is suspected of being involved in a criminal activity that has been selling commercial truck chassis that were stolen from the Port of Los Angeles has been apprehended by the authorities.
On Wednesday, Denis Fuentes, 25, of Gardena, was arrested after a joint investigation by the Los Angeles Port Police and the Los Angeles Police Department.
Fuentes was taken into custody at a location located on the 14500 block of South Avalon Boulevard in Gardena. Authorities also found 24 stolen units inside the site, which were worth around $600,000.
Later on, he was arrested and taken to jail on suspicion of possessing stolen goods.
According to law enforcement sources, he is suspected of being a member of a bigger group of thieves that has been active at the Port of Los Angeles for several months. The perpetrators are thought to have broken into container ports, stolen chassis that were meant for professional truckers to transport cargo, and then sold them again as new after changing any identifying information.
According to investigators, the plan may have produced several million dollars in stolen revenue.
According to Los Angeles Port Police Lieutenant Rosario Ferrara, “The Port of Los Angeles is the busiest port in the United States, so stopping this theft was important for everyone involved.” “Our investigation into these activities is still ongoing, but we hope this arrest sends a message to other criminals who are targeting the Port complex.”
According to officials, the investigation is still in progress, and further arrests are anticipated.
If you have any information regarding the investigation or any illicit thefts that have occurred at the Port of Los Angeles, please reach out to the detectives of the L.A. port police by calling 310-732-3500. You can give anonymous tips by calling 800-222-8477 or by submitting them online.
