In recent months, organized groups have targeted trains in the Mojave Desert, Arizona, stealing cargo including Nike Air Jordans and wireless gaming headsets, according to federal prosecutors. These incidents resemble old-fashioned train robberies but involve modern merchandise.
The robbers have employed tools such as electric saws and bolt-cutters to break locks on containers. They also cut the air hoses on the brakes, causing trains, which can travel at speeds of 70 mph, to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of derailment.
Once the trains were halted, the thieves removed cases of merchandise and concealed them in nearby fields. They subsequently contacted associates to transport the stolen goods in box trucks, with some items later appearing for sale on platforms like Amazon and eBay.
These train heists have reportedly increased in frequency over the past two years, as transnational gangs have begun targeting high-value shipments. Since last year, at least 12 defendants, primarily Mexican citizens in the U.S. illegally, have been charged in connection with at least seven robberies since June 2023. Law enforcement has seized around $3 million in stolen merchandise from BNSF trains.
In January, several arrests were made after authorities responded to a BNSF train near Williams, Arizona, which had its air hose cut. This particular train, frequently targeted, was carrying only Nike products. Upon stopping the train, police discovered 200 to 250 cases of Nike shoes nearby.
Investigators set up an operation to apprehend those picking up the stolen shoes, using tracking devices hidden in select cases. This led to the identification of two vehicles involved in the theft, resulting in multiple arrests and the recovery of approximately $202,000 worth of Air Jordans.
Additionally, over 900 boxes of Turtle Beach Stealth Pro headsets, valued at more than $590,000, were recovered from a BNSF train east of Flagstaff, Arizona, after being taken to a local motel.
The gangs involved are primarily composed of Mexican citizens from Sinaloa, who have connections across California, New Mexico, and Arizona. According to the Association of American Railroads, there were over 65,000 train thefts last year, marking a 40 percent increase from the previous year, with losses exceeding $100 million.
Rail companies report that only about one in ten cargo theft attempts leads to an arrest. The Association has called for increased federal investment to enhance rail network security, emphasizing that the industry cannot combat these organized criminal groups alone.
BNSF stated that it collaborates with various law enforcement agencies to disrupt criminal activities and hold offenders accountable. The company highlighted the importance of a unified response from the criminal justice system to address this growing crime trend.
Robbers often scout for high-value shipments by observing trains with visible locks as they travel along Interstate 40. In addition to cutting air hoses, they have also sabotaged railway signal systems, creating dangerous conditions on the rail network.
Opportunities for theft are plentiful in the remote Arizona desert, where trains often stop on sidings for extended periods to allow other trains to pass. Due to the length of the trains, engineers and conductors may remain unaware of any intrusions until it is too late to intervene.
Industry experts note that while such robberies have occurred for years, their frequency has notably increased in recent times.