UPDATE (10/13):
Fox 32 Chicago has obtained images of the burglary from September 19 that led authorities to there house filled with $ million in stolen sneakers, including a shipment of shoes intended for university basketball teams.
Five have been arrested so far in connection to the case and Erick Lujano Bautista and Edwin Aguirre Ramirez, both 24, have been charged in multi-state, million dollar sneaker theft ring.
Stay tuned to Nice Kicks as the story develops.
UPDATE (10/12):
Erick Lujano Bautista and Edwin Aguirre Ramirez, both 24, have been charged in the ongoing investigation of a nationwide, million dollar sneaker theft ring, per CBS Chicago.
Surveillance video showed Bautista and Ramirez breaking into a semi-trailer, stealing it and taking it to that warehouse in Austin to resell. The warehouse, a home base and reshipping area for stolen cargo from railroad thefts across the country, advertised on social media or by word of mouth. Resell shops would go to the warehouse to buy the items, not knowing they were stolen.
$5 million in stolen sneakers from Nike, Adidas and Jordan Brand were uncovered in the Chicago warehouse earlier in the week.
“The investigation started with a mere theft, but led to a national criminal enterprise where millions of dollars of stolen goods were located,” said Mayor Chris Getty.
In addition to the sneakers, toys, iPads, jewelry and high-end jeans were also stored in the warehouse.
Three more suspects are under investigation. Authorities expect more suspects will be tied to the operation.
Stay tuned to Nice Kicks as the story develops.
Chicago police uncovered a warehouse with $5 million in stolen sneakers from Nike, Adidas, and Jordan Brand.
The warehouse served as a home base and reshipping area for stolen cargo from railroad thefts across the country, such as the recent $400K raid in Memphis and a $7 million raid Los Angeles.
“What they would do is they’d commit these cargo thefts, like from Memphis, Tennessee,” said Lyons Police Chief Tom Herion. “They’d re-label it, and they would ship it here. They would unpackage it, repackage it, and it’s a 100% markup, because they got it all for nothing.”
In the last few years, supply chain theft has risen. In the first half of 2023, the crime has increased by 63%, per CargoNet.
The investigation is ongoing as two people have been charged and more are expected.
Stay tuned to Nice Kicks as the story develops.
