Series of Freight Train Robberies in the U.S.: Thieves Steal Valuable Goods

A series of freight train robberies in California and Arizona is raising serious concerns among authorities. Criminals are stealing millions of dollars’ worth of goods, including Nike sneakers. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Since March 2024, ten attacks have occurred on BNSF freight trains traveling through deserts. Officials report that in nine cases, shipments of Nike shoes intended for sale were stolen.

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On January 13, criminals disabled the brakes of a train passing through Arizona. They stole 1,900 pairs of Nike sneakers worth a total of $440,000.

Most of the stolen goods were Nike Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4s, set for release on March 14. The retail price for this model is $225 per pair.

Police arrested 11 suspects, charging them with theft, possession, and resale of stolen goods. Ten of them are illegal immigrants, while one has applied for asylum.

Investigators tracked the criminals using GPS devices hidden inside some of the stolen boxes. However, the arrested individuals denied any involvement in the robberies.

Series of Freight Train Robberies: Criminals Act in an Organized Manner

In November 2024, another BNSF train was attacked near Hackberry, Arizona. Thieves stole 180 pairs of Air Jordan 11 Retro Legend Blue sneakers, worth a total of $41,400.

In other incidents, criminals took Nike shoes worth $612,000. They target slow-moving trains, making it easier to break into the containers.

Arizona Deputy Sheriff Keith Lewis noted that criminals receive information from insiders. These informants work in logistics and provide details about valuable shipments.

Special agent Brynna Cook reported that criminals have accomplices following the trains by car. They track the trains and pick up stolen boxes thrown off during stops.

These tactics make robberies more coordinated and criminals harder to catch. As a result, freight train thefts are becoming increasingly common.

Rail Companies Demand Stricter Penalties

The six largest U.S. railroad operators reported losses exceeding $100 million due to thefts. In recent years, the number of train robberies has increased, and criminals have become more sophisticated.

According to the Association of American Railroads, freight thefts rose by 40% last year. In 2024, 65,000 cargo theft incidents were recorded nationwide.

Railroad companies are investing millions in security, but protecting tracks is challenging. Their infrastructure spans 225,000 km, including remote areas.

Companies are calling for stricter federal penalties to combat train robberies. They claim that only one in ten theft attempts results in an arrest.

Many arrested criminals are repeat offenders who continue committing crimes after release. Their repeated offenses make fighting this growing threat even harder.

Cargo thefts from trains, trucks, and ships pose a nationwide logistics security risk. The FBI and federal agencies are closely monitoring the situation.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, such crimes cause annual losses of up to $35 billion. These thefts significantly impact both the economy and transportation security.

Source: Meduza

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