Ex-employee charged with stealing $1 million in model car collectibles from SoCal factory

A former MGA Entertainment employee was charged with stealing over $1 million in diecast model car collectibles from the company’s factory in the San Fernando Valley, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday.

The DA says that on Feb. 14, at approximately 4:30 p.m., 55-year-old Simi Valley resident Luis Tanahara allegedly stole CarTuned collectibles valued at approximately $500,000 from a shipping container at the factory in Chatsworth and loaded the items in his personal vehicle.

He was reportedly employed as a senior product designer for the company at the time.

Then, on March 4, investigators seized over $1 million in CarTuned collectibles from his residence.

The cars are highly valued by hobbyists and collectors, especially when sold in surprise “Master Packs.”

The case was filed for warrant on April 7, and Tanahara was arrested and pleaded not guilty during an arraignment on April 10. He was released on his own recognizance and ordered to stay away from MGA Entertainment, the DA said.

A preliminary hearing is set for May 27 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

Tanahara is being charged with one felony count of grand theft and one felony count of receiving stolen property with special allegations that he stole property valued at over $1 million. If convicted, he faces up to six years in state prison.

“My prosecutors do not come to play: If you steal collectible toy cars or any cargo from our ports,  you will be fully prosecuted,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. 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.”