In an unusual heist, more than 2 million dollars’ worth of new Nike sneakers were stolen from a moving train. The incident was reported across California and Arizona in the United States. Thieves targeted freight trains running through the deserts of these two areas. According to officials and court documents, many sneakers haven’t hit the retail market yet.
A criminal complaint filed in federal court in Phoenix, stated that on the robbery of 13 January, suspects tampered with the air brake hose of a BNSF freight train while it was passing through a remote area of Arizona. They looted more than 1,900 pairs of unreleased Nikes worth more than $440,000.
The complaint further stated, “Many of the shoes were Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4s, which won’t be available to the public until 14 March and are expected to retail at $225 per pair.”
This heist has been considered as one of at least 10 heists targeting BNSF trains in remote areas of the Mojave deserts since last March. The investigation is underway on all these cases.
How Were The Suspects Caught?
Eleven people have been charged in the 13 January loot with possessing or receiving goods stolen from interstate shipment. The accused have pleaded not guilty and were all ordered detained until trial. Out of those, ten are Mexicans who were in the United States illegally. Another accused is a Mexican citizen who was in asylum proceedings in the United States, stated the court’s record.
The suspects were caught with the help of tracking devices that were placed inside some of the boxes.
Written By
Vaidika Thapa
Feb 26, 2025 10:01