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LAPD seizes $7 million of stolen Nike sneakers
Los Angeles Police Seize Stolen Nike Merchandise Worth Millions in Warehouse Raid
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) executed a raid on Wednesday, uncovering a substantial amount of stolen merchandise suspected to be Nike sneakers, with an estimated value in the millions of dollars. The raid took place at a warehouse located in Torrance, following an investigation into a series of cargo truck thefts near the Port of Los Angeles. The thefts, which targeted at least nine cargo trucks, occurred over a specific period, but detailed information has been withheld to prevent interference with the ongoing investigation.
Investigation details
Captain Alfonso Lopez of the Commercial Crimes Division revealed that law enforcement agencies collaborated to track down the stolen merchandise, leading them to the Torrance warehouse where the search warrant was executed. Out of the nine containers, six were found to contain the recovered stolen products. While the specific nature of the merchandise was not officially disclosed by the LAPD, sources from KCBS-TV reported that the boxes contained Nike sneakers. Captain Lopez declined to provide any further information, stating that the detectives involved had not yet engaged with the media.
The theft of shoes and apparel has become a significant issue for Nike, resulting in multimillion-dollar losses. Last year, Julian Gutierrez was arrested by the Los Angeles County sheriff's detectives in connection with a robbery at a Nike store in East Los Angeles, as well as multiple "grab and go" thefts. During the arrest, Gutierrez was found in possession of a substantial amount of new clothing, complete with tags and security devices, worth several thousand dollars. The total losses from the Nike store were estimated to exceed $150,000.
Reoccurring theft
In another incident, thieves in Memphis, Tennessee, targeted a Nike distribution center, making off with approximately $800,000 worth of sneakers and apparel. The severity of the problem led Nike to temporarily close one of its retail stores in Portland, Oregon, due to rampant thefts.
As of now, Nike has not responded to requests for comment regarding the recent seizure of stolen merchandise in Los Angeles. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement agencies continue their efforts to combat these crimes against the brand.
