LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Authorities have announced the arrests of three people suspected of stealing nearly $250,000 worth of plastic products.

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14984641/2011/12/plastics-1-vsa.mp3 KNX1070’s Vytas Safronikas reports.

The sheriff’s Industrial Plastic Theft Task Force made the arrests of 43-year-old Juan Arrelano from Bell and two others about 6 p.m. Monday at two locations in South Los Angeles.

According to deputies, Arrelano is the owner of two recycling businesses and the two other arrestees work for him. Their identities have not been released.

“Some of the trademarked plastic products were intact, some were cut into pieces and some had already been grounded for resale,” said Sgt. Nabeel Mitry, who is part of the task force.

The find was part of an ongoing investigation of trademarked plastic theft and grinding operations, Mitry said.

The items deputies discovered, according to Mitry, included pallets, trays, shelves, baskets and totes from grocery stores.

In just the last four months, over $5 million in stolen trademarked plastic has been recovered by the task force.

Mitry said the suspects have been booked on suspicion of felony possession of stolen property and illegal possession of trademark plastic products.

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