Last month, a train robbery in Arizona stolen 2,000 pairs of Nike Air Jordans, with an estimate of over $440,000, according to federal court documents obtained by dailymail.com.
The theft occurred after a thief cut the air brake hose on a BNSF freight train, preventing it from moving. Among the stolen sneakers was the Nigel Silvester X Air Jordan 4, scheduled to be released on March 14th for $225 per pair. However, in the resale market, each of these shoes can earn up to $2,500.
The robbery was part of a wide range of train robbers targeting valuable sports apparel. Investigators have identified at least 10 similar cases since March 2022, with the majority involving Nike sneakers. Authorities believe the perpetrators are part of an organized group stealing goods from BNSF trains in remote areas of the Mojave Desert.
Eleven individuals have been arrested in connection with the robbery on January 13th. The suspect is primarily an undocumented immigrant and is accused of owning or receiving stolen goods from interstate shipments. Group leader Felipe Arturo Avalos Mezia was arrested in June 2022 after being caught up in a $120,000 record of cash and stolen Nike merchandise. Avalos-Mejia pleaded not guilty.
Theft is part of an increase in the overall problem of freight theft from US freight trains, with the country’s largest freight railroads reaching over $100 million in 2022 due to the cost of repairing stolen goods and damaged railcars. It’s been a huge increase. The Association of American Railroads reported a 40% increase in theft, with 65,000 incidents nationwide last year.
Thieves often target trains traveling along remote rail lines where valuable freight can be easily found. They are supported by accomplices of “follow vehicles” tracking railroad cars. After the train is stopped, for a stop or cut air hose, the thief unloads the goods and then sells for profit.
Despite millions of dollars invested in security measures, freight railroads continue to struggle to prevent theft. The rail industry is calling for more severe penalties and increased federal enforcement to combat the issue. According to the BNSF, its internal police are working with local law enforcement and prosecutors, but crews are instructed not to face the thieves directly.
In another case, a BNSF train near Huckbury, Arizona was targeted on November 20th, with authorities recovering an Air Jordan 11 retro legendary blue sneaker with a $41,400 valuation of 180 pairs. Earlier this year, other robbers saw theft of an unreleased Nike Air Jordan worth $346,200.
The issue of train theft has reached a level where businesses and law enforcement are expanding their security measures. But as burglars become more organized, the challenge of preventing such robberies persists.