Toy Designer Stole $1M Worth Of Diecast Cars From LA Factory: Prosecutors

LOS ANGELES, CA — A former employee at a major toy company is accused of stealing more than $1 million worth of collectible diecast toy cars from the company’s San Fernando Valley factory, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Luis Tanahara, 53, of Simi Valley pleaded not guilty in April to one felony count of grand theft and one felony count of receiving stolen property, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors claim the stolen property exceeded $1 million in value.

Tanahara worked as a senior product designer at MGA Entertainment when he took CarTuned collectibles from a shipping container at the company’s Chatsworth facility on Feb. 14. Investigators claim he loaded approximately $500,000 worth of collectibles into his personal vehicle.

During a search of Tanahara’s home on March 4, investigators recovered more than $1 million worth of CarTuned collectibles. The diecast cars are considered highly valuable among collectors, especially when sold in surprise “Master Packs," prosectors claim.

“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," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement.

Tanahara was released on his own recognizance. He was ordered to stay away from MGA Entertainment, prosecutors said.

If convicted as charged, Tanahara faces up to six years in state prison. He's due back in court May 27.