A train robbery in Arizona last month resulted in the theft of nearly 2,000 pairs of Nike Air Jordans, valued at over $440,000, according to federal court documents. The thieves disabled a BNSF freight train by cutting the air brake hose, causing it to stop. Among the stolen items were the highly anticipated Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4s, which are set to release on March 14 for $225 a pair, but could fetch up to $2,500 each on the resale market.
This robbery is part of a broader pattern of train heists targeting valuable sportswear, with at least 10 similar incidents reported since March 2022. Most of these thefts involved Nike shoes, and authorities suspect an organized group is behind the crimes, stealing goods from BNSF trains in remote parts of the Mojave Desert.
In connection with the January 13 heist, 11 individuals, mainly undocumented migrants, were arrested. They face charges related to receiving stolen goods. Felipe Arturo Avalos-Mejia, the alleged leader of the group, was arrested in June 2022 with $120,000 in cash and a history of stolen Nike merchandise. He has pleaded not guilty.
Cargo theft from freight trains has been a rising issue across the U.S., with the six largest freight railroads reporting losses exceeding $100 million in 2022. The number of train thefts nationwide increased by 40%, with 65,000 incidents recorded last year. Thieves typically target trains along isolated routes, aided by accomplices tracking shipments. Once a train stops, the thieves quickly unload valuable goods, which are sold for profit.
Despite efforts to improve security, freight railroads continue to face significant challenges in preventing thefts. The industry has called for stronger penalties and greater federal enforcement to address the issue. According to BNSF, its internal police force works with local law enforcement, but train crews are instructed to avoid direct confrontation with thieves.
In another case on November 20, a BNSF train near Hackberry, Arizona, was targeted, and 180 pairs of Air Jordan 11 Retro Legend Blue sneakers, valued at $41,400, were stolen. Other heists earlier in the year led to the theft of $346,200 worth of unreleased Nike Air Jordans. As the problem of train thefts grows, both companies and law enforcement are increasing security efforts, but organized criminal groups continue to pose a significant challenge.
