** factory.
A former MGA Entertainment designer faces felony theft charges after allegedly stealing more than $1 million in CarTuned diecast collectibles from the company's Chatsworth factory. Investigators seized the collectibles from his Simi Valley home.
** factory.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced the charges Tuesday, alleging that Tanahara, 55, of Simi Valley, loaded approximately $500,000 in CarTuned collectibles from a shipping container into his personal vehicle at around 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 14.
"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," District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement announcing the case.
According to the DA's office, investigators executed a search of Tanahara's residence on March 4 and recovered more than $1 million in CarTuned collectibles. The diecast cars are considered highly valuable among hobbyists and collectors, particularly when sold in surprise "master packs," prosecutors said.
Tanahara is charged with one felony count of grand theft and one felony count of receiving stolen property, with allegations that the stolen property exceeded $1 million in value.
Tanahara pleaded not guilty to the charges on April 10. He was released on his own recognizance and ordered to stay away from his former workplace, MGA Entertainment.
A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27, where a judge will determine if there is sufficient evidence to move the case forward to trial, according to the DA's office.
If convicted as charged, Tanahara faces up to six years in state prison.
His attorney, Jonathan D. Evans, pushed back against the allegations.
"Mr. Tanahara vigorously proclaims his innocence and is looking forward to the truth coming out in the court of law, not public opinion," Evans said in an email.
MGA Entertainment's Chatsworth facility is the manufacturing hub behind some of the most recognizable toy brands in the world, including Bratz and CarTuned. The company's presence in the neighborhood makes it one of the Valley's largest toy manufacturers.
The DA's office emphasized that the theft goes beyond ordinary retail crime.
"If you steal collectible toy cars or any cargo from our ports, you will be fully prosecuted," Hochman said.
The case underscores the value of collectible merchandise and the risks companies face when high-value inventory moves through shipping containers on factory premises.
This article was generated with AI assistance.