A missing semitruck carrying a load of beer was located in the San Fernando Valley, and officials are now seeking help locating a person of interest who was hired to transport the kegs, police said Wednesday.
Jose Jesus Rodriguez allegedly picked up the beer in Van Nuys but never delivered it, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a news release.
LAPD began investigating the heist after the owner of the Turlock-based delivery company that hired Rodriguez contacted them about the missing truck last Friday, Nov. 30, the agency said.
The owner “had numerous text messages sent by Rodriguez” over the weekend, but was still unable to locate the load, officials said.
The semi was eventually found Sunday — still loaded with kegs — after detectives received intel that it was in LAPD’s West Valley Division, which covers Tarzana, Reseda, Encino and Lake Balboa.
Now that the truck has been found, investigators are looking to speak with Rodriguez.
Police described him as a Latino man measuring around 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds with black hair and hazel eyes.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts can contact Detective Joe Chavez at 213-486-6940 or 818-832-7510. After-hours calls can be directed to LAPD’s hotline at 877-527-3247, and anonymous tips may be submitted via 800-222-8477 or www.LACrimeStoppers.org.