Thieves stole roughly 34,000 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon and non-alcoholic Old Milwaukee beer in two separate heists from a southern California warehouse on the same day, according to police. The thefts, valued at $70,000, occurred on 17 August at an Anheuser-Busch distribution center located about 40 miles (65 km) east of Los Angeles in Montclair.
Two Thefts on the Same Day
Montclair police reported that in the first heist, approximately $45,000 worth of beer destined for Tucson, Arizona, was picked up but never delivered. An hour later, a "purported subcontracting company" submitted fake documents to collect another $25,000 worth of beer, according to a news release from the Montclair Police Department.
Investigators are currently trying to determine whether the two thefts were part of a single operation, police said on Friday. The stolen cargo, which included more than 1,500 cases of beer, was detailed in a police report obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
Pabst's Social Media Response
Pabst Blue Ribbon has turned the incident into a lighthearted social media promotion, using Instagram posts to engage with the public. The company put the weight of the stolen cargo at 40,000 pounds (18,145 kg) and started a countdown seeking its return.
In one Instagram post, Pabst addressed the thief directly: "To the thief: we don’t fault you for wanting to brag to your friends how much PBR you have, we just wish you obtained it the honorable way." The company added, "P.s. this is real and we are deadly serious."
Investigation and Impact
The Montclair police are continuing their investigation into the thefts, which occurred at the distribution center east of Los Angeles. The value of the stolen beer, estimated at $70,000, underscores the scale of the operation, which involved tens of thousands of cans.
The incident has drawn attention due to the unusual nature of the crime and Pabst's creative response. As of now, no arrests have been reported, and the beer remains missing, with Pabst's countdown ongoing.
