Pabst Brewing Company is seeking the public's assistance in recovering a stolen shipment of approximately 40,000 pounds of its Blue Ribbon beer. The theft occurred at an Anheuser-Busch distribution center in Montclair, California, where an individual presented false documentation to claim the cargo.
The company announced the incident on social media, stating the beer was intended for San Diego. The value of the stolen shipment is estimated at $25,000.
Montclair Police are investigating the theft, noting it is similar to another incident on the same day from the same distribution center. In that case, a shipment valued at $45,000, reportedly destined for Tucson, Arizona, was also taken using fraudulent documents. Police are examining whether the two thefts are part of a larger cargo-theft operation.
Authorities identified discrepancies in the information provided regarding the trucking company, driver, and vehicles involved in both incidents. While Anheuser-Busch has a contract to brew Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, it remains unclear if the first stolen shipment also contained Pabst products.
A Pabst spokesperson described the incident as the act of a "bad actor" who impersonated the correct recipient. The company is offering an unspecified reward for the safe return of the beer, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation despite its unusual nature. Pabst has playfully challenged the thief to return the beer within a specific timeframe, referencing the company's founding year of 1844.