LAPD uncovers $1M in stolen BNSF and Union Pacific rail cargo at Los Angeles–area shoe retailer
Nike, New Balance, Brooks and Yeti products filled the recovery. Investigators are still tracing how the stolen merchandise reached the retailer. The post LAPD uncovers $1M in stolen BNSF and Union Pacific rail cargo at Los Angeles–area shoe retailer appeared first on FreightWaves.
Source Lens
Industry Context
Useful background context, but lower-priority than direct platform, community, or operator intelligence.
Impact Level
medium
Use this briefing to decide whether your team needs an immediate workflow, policy, or reporting change.
Key Stat / Trigger
No single quantitative trigger surfaced in this report.
Focus on the operational implication, not just the headline.
Full Coverage
LAPD detectives searched a Whittier, California, shoe retailer Sept. 30, uncovering 59 pallets containing branded merchandise. LAPD connected the goods to stolen BNSF and Union Pacific rail cargo. Recovered property totaled about $1 million. Police also arrested business owner Waseem Saman onsite.
The haul included Nike, New Balance, Brooks and Sanuk footwear, according to LAPD. Investigators also located Yeti cups, jugs, JanSport backpacks, plus Shark vacuums. Authorities served the warrant at Whittier retailer Shoes n Shoes. Brands covered consumer goods spanning apparel, drinkware, luggage, appliances.
Stolen merchandise recovered from a Whittier, California, shoe business included footwear, Yeti products and other consumer goods. (Photos: LAPD) Warehouse search leads to arrest Task force detectives contacted Saman while executing a search warrant, according to LAPD.
The 45-year-old Placentia resident admitted purchasing much inventory from brokers or middlemen. Police characterized those suppliers as illegitimate distributors serving listed brands. Officers booked him at Van Nuys Jail on suspicion of receiving stolen property.
LAPD identified Saman’s booking offense as California Penal Code 496(a), receiving stolen property. Department records listed number 7331207 within its October 6 announcement. Authorities did not name any suspected middlemen through that release. Detectives continue investigating. window. googletag = window. googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag. cmd.
push(function() {var gptSlot = googletag. defineSlot('/21776187881/FW-Responsive-Main_Content-Slot1', [[300, 100], [320, 50], [728, 90], [468, 60]], 'div-gpt-ad-1709668545404-0'). defineSizeMapping(gptSizeMaps. banner1). addService(googletag. pubads()); googletag. pubads(). enableSingleRequest(); googletag. pubads(). collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.
enableServices(); setInterval(function() {if (! document. hidden) {googletag. pubads(). refresh([gptSlot]); } }, 30000); }); googletag. cmd. push(function() {googletag. display('div-gpt-ad-1709668545404-0'); }); Rail police join cargo theft investigation Rail investigators from Union Pacific and BNSF joined this operation.
Alameda Belt Line personnel also participated alongside Los Angeles Port Police. County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation contributed support. LAPD framed such collaboration as important for combating large-scale cargo theft. Police have not explained how the recovered cargo originally left BNSF or Union Pacific control.
Agency announcement omits theft dates, shipping origins, destinations, individual load values. Investigators also left brokers plus middlemen unnamed in connection with Saman’s purchases. LAPD asked anyone possessing information to contact its Commercial Crimes Division. Why it matters Stolen freight does not always disappear after the initial theft.
This recovery shows how valuable cargo can resurface through commercial channels far beyond its original transportation route. Click here for more articles on cargo theft and freight fraud by Phil Brink.
CBP finds $6M in cocaine hidden under floor of empty semi-trailer bound for Canada – FreightWaves Thieves clone $60K shipment, redirect 41,000 pounds of glycerin in Illinois – FreightWaves LA jury convicts 2 in $2M nationwide cargo theft ring using purchased trucking companies – FreightWaves window. googletag = window. googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag. cmd.
push(function() {var gptSlot = googletag. defineSlot('/21776187881/fw-responsive-main_content-slot3', [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 50], [300, 100]], 'div-gpt-ad-1665767553440-0'). defineSizeMapping(gptSizeMaps. banner1). addService(googletag. pubads()); googletag. pubads(). enableSingleRequest(); googletag. pubads(). collapseEmptyDivs(); googletag.
enableServices(); setInterval(function() {if (! document. hidden) {googletag. pubads(). refresh([gptSlot]); } }, 30000); }); googletag. cmd. push(function() {googletag. display('div-gpt-ad-1665767553440-0'); }); The post LAPD uncovers $1M in stolen BNSF and Union Pacific rail cargo at Los Angeles–area shoe retailer appeared first on FreightWaves.
Original Source
This briefing is based on reporting from Freightwaves. Use the original post for full primary-source context.
Style
Audience