Los Angeles police announced a major bust on Oct. 21 that recovered an estimated $1 million worth of stolen shoes and backpacks from a Chatsworth storefront known as DesignerDeals4Less. The raid, carried out by the LAPD Commercial Crimes Division Cargo Theft Task Force, targeted the business after investigators traced the sale of stolen footwear from a Brooks‑Disney collaboration on eBay.

Multi‑agency effort recovers 35 pallets of stolen cargo

Detectives executed a search warrant at the shop located near the intersection of Nordoff Street and Independence Avenue. Inside, they found roughly 35 pallets of merchandise that had been taken from Burlington Northern & Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad trains. The haul included popular athletic shoes from brands such as Brooks, Hoka, New Balance, Adidas, On and Salomon, as well as JanSport backpacks.

The owner, identified as 51‑year‑old Heros Tasci of Simi Valley, admitted to purchasing the stolen items from unauthorized distributors. He was taken into custody and booked at Van Nuys Jail on suspicion of receiving stolen property.

Broad law‑enforcement partnership

The operation was a coordinated effort involving several law‑enforcement partners, including BNSF Police, Union Pacific Railroad Police, Alameda Belt Line Police, Los Angeles Port Police, Los Angeles World Airports Police, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations. Their combined resources helped secure the valuable cargo and send a clear message that illegal resale of stolen goods will not be tolerated.

Authorities emphasized that the seizure protects both consumers and legitimate businesses that rely on honest supply chains. By removing the stolen merchandise from the market, the task force aims to deter future cargo theft and protect the integrity of the region’s thriving retail sector.

Community call for information

Investigators continue to pursue leads related to the broader theft network. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the LAPD Commercial Crimes Division at 213‑486‑8766 between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.