Train robberies in Southern California are on the rise as sophisticated criminal networks target the area’s vast rail infrastructure. Investigators report over 65,000 train heists nationwide each year, with 25% to 40% occurring in Southern California. These crimes yield loot valued in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.
Detectives find tracking these crimes challenging due to underreporting, creating concerns that the problem might be worse than perceived. Heists are increasing, attributed to crime rings, notably cartel-run, targeting items like shoes, clothing, tools, and electronics for quick resale at discounts online.
We call it shopping,stated Supervisor Detective Carlos Monteroso of the LAPD’s Cargo Theft Task Force.
He explained how these groups target containers for high-value items. Insiders at the Port of Los Angeles access data on train cargo, passing valuable leads to criminals who then dispatch crews to isolated tracks.
The bustling Port of Los Angeles, managing around 2.65 million 20-foot containers yearly, serves as a prime target. Many thefts remain unreported due to occurring on private railways.
The upcoming holiday season raises concerns about increased thefts disrupting supply chains. Monteroso described the thieves as highly organized, exploiting weak points on tracks and forcing emergency stops to loot at leisure.
Masked perpetrators cut into containers using electric tools, with accomplices offloading goods into awaiting vehicles. The stolen merchandise, including brands like Nike, is resold online through platforms like eBay and OfferUp.
Monteroso’s team recently uncovered a major shoe theft, tracing sales back to a warehouse raid that recovered substantial stock from brands like Hoka and New Balance. Arrests, such as that of Heros Tasci, highlight mid-level involvement amidst broader criminal operations.
Investigators indicate masterminds behind these crimes operate remotely, often overseas, with ties to Russian, Turkish, and Mexican crime syndicates. A significant San Bernardino bust linked to the Sinaloa Cartel resulted in the recovery of stolen goods as well as weapons and other illegal assets.
However, capturing the orchestrators remains difficult, as explained by Keith Lewis, vice president of Verisk CargoNet. Communication through disposable phones and lack of cooperation from caught offenders stymie efforts to reach higher echelons.
Train lines utilize drones, fences, and cameras, but securing vast, remote railways remains a challenge. Heists occasionally lead to violence, complicating defensive measures.
Light penalties in California hinder informant incentives, leading to underestimation of the crime’s full scope. Authorities acknowledge the lack of repercussions hampers law enforcement, perpetuating the cycle of theft.