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CoolKicks founder Adeel Shams was arrested in Santa Monica. (Photo: X)

On October 8, 2025, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced a significant recovery of stolen goods valued at approximately $500,000 from a warehouse in Santa Monica. The operation targeted cargo pilfered from trains, highlighting a growing issue of cargo theft in the region. Detectives from the LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division, specifically the Cargo Theft Unit, executed a search warrant at a business located in the 1700 block of Stewart Street. Inside, they discovered over 2,100 pairs of unreleased Nike shoes and 150 cartons of assorted Nike apparel, all believed to have been stolen during transit.

The raid led to the arrest of 34-year-old Adeel Shams, a Los Angeles resident and the owner of Coolkicks, an online retailer known for reselling limited-edition sneakers and clothing. Shams was apprehended on-site and charged with receiving stolen property. He was booked into the LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center but released from custody the following day, Friday, according to Los Angeles County jail records. His initial court appearance is set for October 23.

Notably, the police intervention occurred amid an online sneaker auction that Shams was live-streaming. Reports from KTLA indicate that Shams appeared shocked during the event, initially suspecting it might be a "swatting" prank—a false emergency call designed to provoke a police response. This added a dramatic element to the bust, as viewers witnessed the unfolding scene in real-time.

In response to the incident, Coolkicks issued a statement on Instagram, asserting that the company had no prior knowledge of the merchandise’s illicit origins. They described the seized items as a "small allotment" of Nike sneakers acquired within the last 48 hours, purchased in good faith. The statement emphasized the team’s surprise and reiterated their commitment to ethical business practices, built on integrity and trust. "This news came as a complete shock to our entire team," the post read, underscoring that neither leadership nor staff had reason to believe the products were stolen.

The LAPD has stated that the investigation remains active, with expectations of additional arrests. This case exemplifies the effectiveness of multi-agency cooperation in tackling organized cargo theft. Involved parties included the Union Pacific Railroad Police, Los Angeles Port Police, Los Angeles World Airports Police, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation. Officials highlighted how such collaborations are crucial for safeguarding commercial supply chains against large-scale theft operations.

Authorities are urging the public to come forward with any relevant information. Tips can be directed to the LAPD Commercial Crimes Division, Cargo Theft Unit, at (213) 486-5920. For after-hours submissions, call 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anonymous reports are encouraged via the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or online.

This recovery not only disrupts a potential black-market resale network but also serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities in modern logistics. Cargo theft from trains and ports continues to pose economic challenges, costing businesses millions annually. By recovering these high-value items, law enforcement has prevented their distribution through unauthorized channels, potentially averting further losses for legitimate retailers like Nike. The incident draws attention to the need for enhanced security measures in supply chains, especially for sought-after consumer goods. As the case progresses, it may reveal more about the broader networks involved in such crimes, contributing to stronger preventive strategies in the future.

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In this interview with FreightWaves’ Thomas Wasson, Truckstop’s Head of Risk & Compliance, Lisa Haubenstock, dives into how Truckstop safeguards carriers and brokers with advanced fraud mitigation technologies.

The Serbian Times is reporting on a surge in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids targeting truck drivers, particularly affecting the Serbian community in the Midwest. Titled "The Hunt for Truckers in the U.S. Has Begun", it details the arrest of at least a dozen Serbian truckers amid a broader operation called "Midway Blitz," initiated by the Trump administration over two weeks prior to the article’s publication. This operation has deployed numerous ICE agents across Midwest states, initially focusing on illegal immigrants with criminal records but expanding to include all undocumented individuals, asylum seekers, and even some Green Card holders with prior offenses.

The raids have sparked significant fear and unrest among immigrants, highlighted by a fatal incident in Franklin Park, a Chicago suburb, where 38-year-old Mexican immigrant Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez died after resisting arrest. According to the report, Villegas-Gonzalez struck a federal officer with his vehicle, dragging him on the hood before the officer fired shots, resulting in the immigrant’s death and the agent’s serious injuries. This event underscores the heightened tensions surrounding the crackdown.

Serbian truck drivers, many operating box trucks that require only a standard driver’s license, have been primarily detained at highway weigh stations in states including Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Texas. One arrest occurred on a bridge to the Canadian border, where a driver accidentally entered and could not turn around. Sources from a Serbian trucking company informed the outlet that detainees were transferred to immigration detention facilities in Michigan, Texas, Nebraska, and Indiana. Legal grounds for arrests vary: some lack work visas, others are in asylum proceedings, and discrepancies like mismatched residency addresses (e.g., a Florida license with Illinois residency) raised suspicions. Many held licenses from Washington state, known for easier issuance.

Additional factors exacerbating risks include poor English proficiency, which hinders communication with agents and can lead to detention. Company dispatchers reportedly advise vulnerable drivers to avoid routes with weigh stations or refrain from driving altogether. The article notes recent agent presence at the Highway 55 South exit from Joliet Avenue. Beyond truckers, arrests have occurred in retail settings like Home Depot and Walmart, targeting undocumented workers and Green Card holders with criminal histories or serious traffic violations such as DUI.

The piece includes a photo of a weigh station in Indiana, where the latest Serbian arrest took place, and mentions a video in the title, though no specific description is provided. It also links to related Serbian-language content and other news topics, emphasizing the broader impact on immigrant communities. Overall, the report portrays a sweeping enforcement effort causing widespread anxiety, urging caution among affected groups.

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