In a daring spree of robberies, several freight trains traveling across the deserts of California and Arizona have become targets for thieves, who have managed to steal Nike sneakers worth over $2 million. This includes many coveted styles that had not yet been released to the public, causing a significant stir among authorities and sneaker enthusiasts alike.
One of the most notable incidents occurred on January 13, when a robbery took place in Perrin, Arizona. The perpetrators cut the air brake hose of a BNSF freight train, enabling them to abscond with approximately 1,900 pairs of Nikes, valued at $440,000. Among these were unreleased pairs of Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4s, with a scheduled retail release in March at $225 per pair.
The Los Angeles Times reported that authorities are probing at least ten heists targeting BNSF trains found in the secluded areas of the Mojave Desert since March of last year. With the exception of one incident, all robberies have resulted in the theft of Nike sneakers, according to investigative sources.
Eleven individuals charged in connection with the January 13 theft have maintained their innocence and remain detained awaiting trial due to the risk of flight. The charges they face pertain to possession or receipt of goods stolen from an interstate shipment. The majority of the defendants are reportedly Mexican nationals in the U.S. illegally, while one individual was amid asylum proceedings.
The modus operandi of these thefts is detailed by Keith Lewis, vice president of operations at Verisk’s CargoNet, who notes that thieves often board slow-moving trains along the Interstate 40 rail lines. Once on board, they target valuable cargo, sometimes tipped off by accomplices working within warehouses or trucking firms.
Supporting tactics include “follow vehicles” that trail the trains, waiting for them to stop so that stolen merchandise can be thrown off. These stops are typically scheduled or forced by actions like cutting an air brake, according to Brynna Cooke, a special agent with Homeland Security Investigations.
These train heists inflicted a significant economic toll on the freight industry last year, with losses surpassing $100 million, factoring in the stolen goods and the cost of repairing damaged railcars. There has been a sharp rise, with thefts escalating by approximately 40% year over year to 65,000 incidents nationwide.
Although railroad companies have invested extensively in security measures, safeguarding over 140,000 miles of track that traverse both rural and urban landscapes remains a formidable task. The Association of American Railroads advocates for heightened federal enforcement and stricter penalties to address these complex and professional theft rings. Despite substantial arrests, repeat offenders continue to plague the system.
BNSF, alongside Union Pacific, another major western freight railway, did not provide comments on the thefts but acknowledged the widespread issue. BNSF claims its internal policing collaborates with local law enforcement but advises train crews not to confront criminals.
Technology played a crucial role in apprehending suspects from the January 13 incident, as tracking devices planted in the stolen goods led to their capture. An earlier robbery on November 20, near Hackberry, Arizona, also ended in arrest and recovery of significant merchandise, centering on a van loaded with soon-to-be-released Air Jordan 11 Retro Legend Blues valued at $41,400.
In 2022, similar thefts reached national attention when trains passing through downtown Los Angeles fell prey to brazen looters pilfering packages meant for individuals across the nation, leaving behind trails of debris. These events prompted a focused enhancement of security measures by both law enforcement and freight companies.
