Thieves have targeted freight trains in California and Arizona in a series of brazen heists, resulting in the theft of over $2 million worth of new Nike sneakers, including un released models. In a recent robbery on January 13th, suspects cut an air brake hose on a BNSF freight train in a remote section of Arizona and made off with more than 1,900 pairs of unreleased Nikes valued at over $440,000. This was just one of at least 10 heists targeting BNSF trains in the Mojave desert since last March. Eleven people have been charged in connection with the burglary, all of whom have pleaded not guilty and are currently detained until trial. The suspects were aided by tracking devices in some of the boxes. In another case, a BNSF train came to an emergency stop after its air brake hose was cut, and about 180 pairs of then-unreleased Air Jordan 11 Retro Legend Blue sneakers worth $41,400 were recovered. The thefts have cost the country’s six largest freight railroads over $100 million last year, and the problem is getting worse. Railroads have invested millions in security measures, but more federal enforcement and tougher penalties are needed to deter the thefts. The railroad trade group estimates that only about one out of every 10 theft attempts result in an arrest, and many of the people arrested are repeat offenders. Cargo thefts from trains, trucks, and ships are a problem nationwide, costing between $15 billion and $35 billion annually.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/25/california-arizona-train-robbers-nike-sneakers