Sneakers continue to be a huge target for criminals, and according to new reports from the LA Times, nearly $2 million worth of Nike footwear has been stolen from freight trains in California and Arizona within the last year—including pairs of the much-anticipated Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4 collab.
The latest incident occurred on Jan. 13 in Perrin, Arizona, where thieves reportedly cut the air hose off a BNSF freight train and stole 1,985 pairs of unreleased Nike and Air Jordans valued over $440,000. Per a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix and acquired by the LA Times, a bulk of the offloaded shoes were Sylvester's "Brick by Brick" Jordan 4 scheduled to hit retailers in mid-March.
The federal complaint confirmed that the offloaded cases of Nikes and Jordans were tossed to the sides of the roads and were later picked up by trucks. Authorities were able to locate the vehicles through the tracking devices placed within the boxes, and thus far, 11 people have been arrested and charged for the crimes.
For sneaker fans who are interested in legally purchasing a pair of the Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4, the collab releases on March 14 at Nike.com and at select Jordan Brand stockists for $225.
