A series of audacious heists targeting freight trains in the deserts of California and Arizona have resulted in the theft of over $2 million worth of new Nike sneakers, including unreleased models. Thieves have been targeting BNSF trains in remote areas, stealing valuable shipments by cutting air brake hoses and unloading the loot from stopped trains. Authorities are investigating at least 10 heists since last March, predominantly involving stolen Nike sneakers.
The thefts have cost the nation’s largest freight railroads over $100 million in damages and stolen goods in the past year, prompting a call for tougher penalties to deter organized crime. The suspects, mostly illegally present in the United States, are aided by accomplices in follow vehicles tracking the trains and evading detection. Limited arrests and repeat offenders are posing a challenge to curbing the rising trend of train robberies, leading to heightened security measures by rail companies.
The recent series of thefts has sparked increased cooperation between law enforcement and rail companies to combat the ongoing issue of cargo train robberies.
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