LAPD Recovered Estimated $1.4 Million Worth of Stolen Nikes and Train Cargo at an LA Home
Quick Facts
- The LAPD announced another raid connected to cargo train sneaker theft
- They confiscated an estimated $1.4 million worth of stolen shoes, tools, and other random consumer goods from a home in East LA
- In a video posted of the raid, cops show a house overflowing with Nike boxes, stacked high and falling everywhere in every single room, including Travis Scott Jordan boxes and rainbow-box Nike SBs
- There is no direct connection between the Cool Kicks raid and the East LA raid, but the sneaker internet is already making up plenty of rumors
The Los Angeles Police Department is cracking down on train theft. Thieves across Southern California have been increasingly targeting cargo trains since the early days of the commerce boom caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, causing major problems for brands, retailers, and shipping companies, while flooding the secondary market with cheap sneakers, power tools, and more.
Now, after a week of legal filings, store raids, and arrests alleging that LA resale heavyweights Cool Kicks had half a million dollars worth of stolen merchandise at its warehouse, including a pallet of Cave Stone Jordan 4s, the LAPD announced another raid connected to cargo train sneaker theft. They confiscated an estimated $1.4 million worth of stolen shoes, tools, and other random consumer goods from a home in East LA. In a video posted of the raid, cops show a house overflowing with Nike boxes, stacked high and falling everywhere in every single room, including Travis Scott Jordan boxes and rainbow-box Nike SBs. Outside, the yard is full of brown cardboard cases that arrive at retail stores with full-size runs covered in tarps, encroaching on every walkway.
“Detectives responded to his residences after receiving information indicating the presence of stolen cargo,” LAPD stated in a release. “This investigation underscores the importance of interagency collaboration in combating large-scale cargo theft and preserving the integrity of Southern California’s commercial supply chains.”
Cops aren’t just confiscating the sneakers, either. After arresting Cool Kicks owner Adeel Shams for possessing the stolen goods at the warehouse, the LAPD announced the arrest of a 41-year-old man at the residence overflowing with sneakers. There is no direct connection between the Cool Kicks raid and the East LA raid, but the sneaker internet is already making up plenty of rumors. Suffice to say, this story is still evolving. We’ve got our eye on the legal proceedings in both cases, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see more raids soon, so keep it locked here, and we’ll keep you updated if we learn more.
Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
