A series of organized freight train robberies across California and Arizona deserts has resulted in the theft of over $2 million worth of Nike sneakers, including many unreleased models. Federal authorities have made arrests in connection with at least 10 heists targeting Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) trains, according to court documents and reports from the Los Angeles Times.
Newsweek reached out to BNSF and Nike via email on Monday for comment.
Why It Matters
These thefts reflect growing concerns about cargo security across America’s extensive rail network.
The Association of American Railroads estimates that theft incidents increased approximately 40 percent last year to 65,000 nationwide, costing the six largest freight railroads more than $100 million in stolen goods and equipment repairs.
The increasingly organized nature of these crimes poses significant challenges for law enforcement and the shipping industry.
What To Know
In a January 13 robbery, thieves cut an air brake hose on a BNSF freight train in Arizona. They stole over 1,900 pairs of unreleased Nikes valued at over $440,000, including Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4s scheduled for March 14 release with an expected retail price of $225 per pair.
Eleven people were charged in this January heist with possessing or receiving goods stolen from interstate shipment. All have pleaded not guilty and were ordered detained until trial. Court records indicate 10 defendants are Mexican citizens who were in the United States illegally, while another is a Mexican citizen in asylum proceedings.
Other documented cases include a November 20 theft near Hackberry, Arizona, where approximately 180 pairs of then-unreleased Air Jordan 11 Retro Legend Blue sneakers valued at $41,400 were stolen, and two additional cases near Kingman and Seligman, Arizona, resulting in the theft of $612,000 worth of Nikes and eight arrests.
What People Are Saying
Vice President at Verisk’s CargoNet, Deputy Sheriff Keith Lewis told the Los Angeles Times: “Thieves scout merchandise on rail lines parallel to Interstate 40 by boarding slow-moving trains, such as when they are changing tracks and opening containers.”
Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Brynna Cooke: Court affidavits cite Cooke explaining that “the loot is tossed off the train after it comes to a halt — either for a scheduled stop or because an air hose has been cut.”
Association of American Railroads noted in a statement that: “Only about 1 out of every 10 theft attempts result in an arrest,” with one railroad “reporting arresting the same individual five times in a single day.”
BNSF Railway stated in a release: “Its internal police force shares information with local law enforcement and prosecutors as appropriate” and that “its crews are instructed not to confront thieves, but to report the incidents instead.”
A Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad locomotive sits on the tracks November 3, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. A Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad locomotive sits on the tracks November 3, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. Tom Pennington/Getty Images
What Happens Next
Despite railroad companies investing millions in security measures, protecting the 140,000-mile national rail network presents ongoing challenges. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) estimates cargo thefts across the supply chain account for between $15 billion and $35 billion in losses annually.
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