Nikes stolen during I-40 train robbery in northern Arizona: DPS
Two people were arrested after authorities say more Nike shoes were stolen during a train robbery in northern Arizona.
What we know:
Last week, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said troopers were notified of a train robbery along Interstate 40 between Kingman and Williams.
"State Troopers located one of the involved vehicles and arrested the driver," DPS said. "Federal Law Enforcement Agents located a second vehicle and suspect and arrested them also."
DPS says both suspects were booked into jail and their vehicles were loaded with stolen Nike shoes.
What we don't know:
The suspects were not identified.
Nike shoes stolen during AZ train robbery: DPS
Two people were arrested after authorities say more Nike shoes were stolen during a train robbery between Kingman and Williams.
Dig deeper:
Authorities believe an organized crime ring is targeting trains, with millions of dollars worth of Nike shoes being reported stolen between Arizona and California.
Organized crime ring believed to be targeting trains in Arizona
You thought the days of robbing trains were something out of an old western? Think again. An organized crime ring is targeting trains right here in Arizona.
Last month, three suspects accused of robbing a train in northern Arizona were arrested following a police chase.
What they're saying:
"Investigators have found ties to the Mexican cartel. On January 30 of this year, over $440,000 of Nike shoes were stolen off of a BNSF train. Air brakes were cut as it traveled on tracks north of Phoenix, Arizona. Federal officials have linked this to a federal cartel operating in Sinaloa," Indiana Senator Todd Young said.
FOX 10 emailed the Department of Public Safety, but it said it couldn't comment on the matter. The Department of Homeland Security Investigations has pointed us to ICE, and we are still waiting for a response.
At this point, they have stolen an estimated $2 million worth.
We talked to CargoNet, the federal government's lead when it comes to theft data.
"The bad guys are good at a few different things. One of them is return on investment. They have found a niche. They have found a sweet spot. They found the hole in the fence," Keith Lewis, CargoNet's vice president of operations, said.
He says there has to be inside information.
The Association of American Railroads estimates 65,000 train thefts in 2024 alone in the U.S. That's a 40% jump from past years.
"It’s very unsettling because you're there by yourself, unarmed. You have really no defense. Hopefully, they get what they want and leave you alone," Steven Thomas, locomotive engineer with BNSF, said.
A U.S. Senate Subcommittee is saying the impact of this continued theft will be felt by consumers and the American supply chain.