Montclair Police Probe Linked $70,000 Pabst Beer Heists as Brand Laughs on Social Media
Thieves stole approximately 34,000 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon and Old Milwaukee beer from an Anheuser-Busch distribution center in Montclair, California, on August 17. Police value the loss at $70,000 and suspect two linked incidents involving fraudulent documentation. Pabst responded with humorous social media posts demanding the return of the beer, while investigators remain without leads.
Key points
- Two thefts occurred on August 17 at a distribution center 40 miles east of Los Angeles, totaling $70,000 in stolen goods.
- The first incident involved a $45,000 shipment destined for Tucson, Arizona, that was picked up but never delivered.
- The second incident involved a 'purported subcontracting company' using fake documents to pick up $25,000 worth of beer.
- Police are investigating whether the two events were part of a single fraudulent cargo-theft operation.
- Pabst Blue Ribbon posted a lighthearted plea on Instagram, offering a reward and a 18-day deadline for the beer's return.
- No suspects have been identified, and the trail has gone cold as of late August 2026.
Background
This incident follows a pattern of cargo thefts at Southern California distribution centers. Our archive notes that similar thefts were reported in late August and early September 2026, with police reviewing surveillance footage and pursuing leads. The current case is distinct in its public marketing response by the brand.
How outlets are covering it
NBC News and Fox News report the thefts as a serious criminal matter, emphasizing the $70,000 value and the potential link to a broader cargo-theft operation. The Los Angeles Times highlights the lack of initial media attention and the delayed police response, noting that the theft was 'almost completely ignored' for over a week. The Independent focuses on the brand's humorous social media campaign, which some viewed as a marketing stunt. All sources agree on the core facts: two thefts, fake paperwork, and no arrests.
Why it matters
The case illustrates the vulnerability of supply chains to fraudulent cargo thefts and the role of social media in publicizing crimes. It also highlights the disconnect between corporate marketing and law enforcement priorities, as the brand's humorous approach may have obscured the severity of the theft for the general public.
What to watch
Montclair Police will continue investigating the discrepancies in trucking company information and vehicle details. Pabst will monitor social media for leads on the missing beer. No immediate resolution is expected, as the trail has gone cold.
- No pint-sized matter: Thieves steal $70,000 in Pabst beer from California warehouse NBC News
- Pabst Blue Ribbon gives thieves deadline to return 50,000 stolen beers OzarksFirst.com
- Southern California’s great beer heist was almost completely ignored Los Angeles Times
- Beer bandits swipe PBR truck hauling 50,000 cans in California, leaving brand pleading for help Fox News
- PBR wants bandits to return 50,000 cans of stolen beer, no questions asked The Independent
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