11/22/2022
The task force organized to stop thieves from looting trains said they arrested 22 suspects responsible for stealing $18 million of merchandise.
In January, the Union Pacific tracks in downtown Los Angeles were littered with thousands of discarded boxes and packages after thieves routinely pilfered cargo containers of passing trains. In response to the skyrocketing number of thefts, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and the private sector formed the Train Burglary Task Force to crack down on thefts and arrest those responsible.
“Detectives assigned to the task force also developed leads that led to the identification of a criminal association of some 22 individuals,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore.
Moore announced the arrest of 22 suspects who police believe stole over $18 million worth of merchandise. Authorities said that they recovered weapons, drugs and even coffins during these raids.
In total, the Los Angeles Police Department said that more than 700 people have been arrested.
In addition to the crackdown effort, workers constructed a wall to block access to the tracks and installed lights as well as security cameras.Â
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