Organized Train Robberies Target $2M in Nike Sneakers Across U.S. Deserts

A sophisticated network has executed at least 10 heists on freight trains in California and Arizona, stealing high-value Nike shoes, including unreleased models.

• Thieves have stolen over $2 million worth of Nike sneakers in a series of at least 10 train robberies since March 2024, primarily targeting BNSF Railway freight trains in remote desert areas.
• The stolen goods include unreleased models such as the Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4s, valued at $225 per pair and set to release on March 14, 2025.
• Robbers employed tactics such as cutting air brake hoses to halt trains and used accomplices in vehicles to transport stolen merchandise, making detection and arrests challenging.
• Eleven suspects, including individuals in the U.S. illegally, were arrested in connection with a January 13 heist in Arizona, where 1,985 pairs of sneakers worth $440,000 were recovered using tracking devices embedded in the stolen boxes.
• The thefts highlight growing concerns about cargo security, with rail industry officials reporting a 40% increase in nationwide thefts last year, costing railroads over $100 million in stolen goods and damages.

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