In Arizona's Mojave Desert, organized train robberies have surged, with bandits using tools to forcibly access and steal high-value cargo from freight trains. These robberies involve cutting the train's air hoses, causing it to stop suddenly, allowing thieves to take items like Nike shoes and gaming headsets. The stolen goods are then hidden and later retrieved by accomplices using box trucks. With at least 12 defendants, mostly undocumented immigrants, charged in federal court and $3 million in stolen merchandise seized, the problem has escalated amid increased targeting by transnational gangs.
In recent months, well-organized bandits have jumped on trains rolling through the Mojave Desert in Arizona and stolen their cargo.
In many cases, the robbers used electric saws, bolt-cutters and other tools to break open the locks on containers holding pricey merchandise.
Trains in the region often travel at 70 m.p.h. Once the trains were stopped, the robbers took cases of Air Jordans, electronics and other goods off the trains.
The train heists, previously reported by The Los Angeles Times, have increased in frequency over the past two years, as more transnational gangs have been targeting high-value shipments.
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