California Police Investigate $70K Beer Cargo Theft Following Fraudulent Pickups at Anheuser-Busch Distribution Center
Key Takeaways
- •Two cargo thefts valued at approximately $70,000 total occurred on Aug. 17 at an Anheuser-Busch distribution center in Montclair, California.
- •A Tucson-bound shipment worth an estimated $45,000 never arrived at its destination after being picked up.
- •A second theft of about $25,000 in Anheuser-Busch and Pabst Blue Ribbon products was arranged using fraudulent documentation from a purported subcontracting company.
- •The same broker arranged both pickups, and had previously attempted to send a truck that was rejected, according to Officer Dominguez.
- •No suspects have been identified, no arrests have been announced, and the active investigation has not disclosed whether either shipment was recovered.
California police are investigating two cargo thefts totaling approximately $70,000 from an Anheuser-Busch distribution center located at 4545 Brooks Street in Montclair, California. The incidents occurred on Aug. 17. One shipment bound for Tucson, Arizona, never reached its destination after being picked up, while a later pickup involved both Anheuser-Busch and Pabst Blue Ribbon products.
First theft: Tucson-bound shipment
The Montclair Police Department logged the earlier case as CR 26-3601. According to the department, it began at approximately 10 a.m. The Tucson-bound shipment carried an estimated value of $45,000. Although the cargo departed for delivery, it never arrived.
Fraudulent documents arranged second pickup
About one hour later, officers received a second report involving the same distribution center, logged as CR 26-3562. That pickup involved approximately $25,000 worth of Anheuser-Busch and Pabst Blue Ribbon products. A purported subcontracting company used fraudulent documentation to arrange the transaction.
The department reported discrepancies involving information from the trucking company, the driver, and the vehicles. Investigators also identified similarities between the two incidents, and detectives are examining whether a single fraudulent cargo-theft operation committed both crimes. Police have not identified any suspects or announced any arrests.
Theft schemes built on fraudulent pickup documentation, often called fraudulent or fictitious pickups, are a recognized tactic in cargo crime: thieves pose as legitimate carriers or brokers to win a load, then drive off with it before the ruse is detected. Cases like this one show how such schemes can send valuable freight away from a facility before anyone recognizes the problem, which is why transportation and warehousing professionals place a premium on verifying broker, carrier, driver, and vehicle identity before cargo leaves their control.
Investigation remains active
The combined reported value of both missing shipments totals approximately $70,000. The Montclair Police Department said the investigation remains active and ongoing, and the department told FreightWaves that officers are at the distribution center now.
Officer Dominguez told investigators, "The only thing the two thefts have in common is the same broker arranged these pickups." The officer also stated, "The same broker tried to send in a truck last week and was rejected."
Police encouraged anyone with information about the incidents to contact the Montclair Police Department at 909-621-4771.
Police did not release details about the subcontracted freight broker. The department also did not identify the driver or the trucking company. Investigators have not disclosed whether either shipment has been recovered. FreightWaves will update this article when new information becomes available.
