$500,000 SIG Sauer shipment stolen in fictitious pickup, two arrested in California

A fictitious warehouse pickup involving approximately $500,000 in SIG Sauer products led to two arrests in Southern California. The shipment contained firearm parts and accessories from SIG Sauer, a major manufacturer supplying civilian, law enforcement and military markets. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detectives recovered the entire shipment. Authorities returned all the stolen merchandise to its owner.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrests and cargo recovery on October 27, 2026. Investigators first received information about the theft on October 12. The incident involved a warehouse near the 4200 block of West 190th Street in Torrance, California. Detectives assigned to the department’s Cargo Criminal Apprehension Team (CCATS) investigated the case. The specialized unit operates within the sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau.

Torrance sits within one of the nation’s most active cargo theft regions. According to an Overhaul report examining cargo theft trends across Southern California, the surrounding 200-mile area accounted for 37% of reported U.S. incidents. Nearly 70% of regional thefts occurred within 50 miles of the city. Deceptive pickups represented 28% of cases in the region.

Authorities arrested Arman Mnatsakanyan, 26, and Ashot Yesayan, 23, both Glendale, California residents, on October 12. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department booking records confirm both arrests occurred that afternoon. Deputies booked the men on suspicion of grand theft cargo. Investigators plan to present the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration. Both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

This story was originally published by FreightWaves. Read the full story at FreightWaves →