A former senior product designer has been charged with stealing diecast model car collectibles valued at more than $1 million from the company’s Chatsworth factory, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
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Luis Tanahara, 55, of Simi Valley, is charged with one felony count each of grand theft and receiving stolen property, with allegations that the stolen property was valued in excess of $1 million, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Tanahara — who worked at MGA Entertainment — allegedly stole CarTuned collectibles valued at about $500,000 from a shipping container and loaded the items into his personal vehicle about 4:30 p.m. Feb. 14, authorities said.
Investigators seized more than $1 million worth of the collectibles from Tanahara’s residence March 4, according to the District Attorney’s Office, which noted that the cars are highly valued by collectors and hobbyists, particularly when sold in surprise “master packs.”
Tanahara pleaded not guilty April 10 to the charges, was released on his own recognizance and ordered to stay away from his former workplace.
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A date is scheduled to be set Wednesday for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to allow the case against him to move forward to trial.
If convicted as charged, he could face up to six years in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
“Mr. Tanahara vigorously proclaims his innocence and is looking forward to the truth coming out in the court of law, not public opinion,” Jonathan D. Evans, a lawyer for Tanahara, said in an email.
In a statement announcing the case, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said, “Diecast cars are not everyday toys or merchandise with a set retail value. They are prized collectibles with a potentially infinite value to a collector, representing a tremendous loss for the victim. My office will continue to fight for our local businesses and hold retail thieves accountable.”
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Bloomberg News contributed to this report.