The James Gang Would Be Impressed!

Summary

Episode Summary: "The James Gang Would Be Impressed!"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Armstrong & Getty On Demand
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Episode: The James Gang Would Be Impressed!
• Release Date: February 27, 2025

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In the February 27, 2025 episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand, host Armstrong and co-host Getty delve into the intriguing and alarming trend of modern-day train robberies targeting high-value merchandise, particularly exclusive Nike sneakers. Aptly titled "The James Gang Would Be Impressed!", the episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the methods, motivations, and repercussions of these sophisticated heists, drawing parallels to the notorious train-stealing exploits of the infamous James Gang from the Wild West era.

1. Introduction to Modern Train Robberies

The episode opens with Armstrong introducing the concept of contemporary train heists, emphasizing their sophistication and the significant financial impact they have on the rail industry. He humorously references the James Gang, stating,

“I refer not to Joe Walsh's pre-Eagles, pre-solo career outfit, the three-piece Canadian classic rock heroes, the James Gang, but indeed the gun-wielding Western bandits, specifically train robbers.”
[03:05]

2. Modus Operandi of the Thieves

Armstrong provides a detailed breakdown of how these modern train robberies are executed. The thieves employ stealthy tactics to board eastbound freight trains, often during moments when the train is changing tracks or opening containers. They strategically target long stretches of the Mojave Desert or High Plains Way, isolated from towns, to minimize the risk of detection.

“They slash an air brake hose, causing my long line of rail cars to screech to emergency stop. Then they go shopping.”
[04:03]

The process involves cutting air hoses or control wires to halt the train, allowing the thieves to access and steal high-value items with minimal interference. Armstrong highlights that while the number of personnel on these freight trains is minimal—often just two or three—the isolation and length of the trains provide ample opportunity for the robbers to operate undetected.

3. Targeted Goods and Resale Value

The primary targets of these heists are exclusive Nike sneakers, particularly limited-edition releases like the Nigel Sylvester Air Jordan Fours. These items, which retail at approximately $225 per pair, can fetch upwards of $1,500 on the black market.

“There's such an aftermarket already built in for this. It'd be so easy to fence this stuff... They sell out at $200. They'd sell out that day, that night they'd be all over eBay for five to eight hundred dollars.”
[06:15]

The high demand and established resale channels on platforms like eBay and Amazon make these sneakers attractive targets for thieves looking to maximize their profits quickly. The speakers discuss the psychological appeal of sneakers, noting how the limited availability and cultural significance drive their black-market value.

4. Scale and Economic Impact

Armstrong and Getty outline the alarming statistics surrounding these thefts. According to federal reports, there were at least 10 heists targeting BNSF trains in California and Arizona since March of the previous year, resulting in nearly $2 million worth of stolen goods. Overall, railroad cargo thefts surged to approximately 65,000 cases last year, marking a 40% increase from the previous year and costing rail companies over $100 million.

“They’re believed to cost the nation's rail companies more than $100 million. And it could be an undercount because railroads don't publicize all the thefts.”
[07:05]

5. Law Enforcement and Criminal Networks

The discussion shifts to the involvement of transnational criminal groups, primarily consisting of Mexican nationals from the Sinaloa cartel, in orchestrating these thefts. These organizations utilize sophisticated methods, including surveillance and follow-up vehicles, to ensure successful acquisitions and evasions.

In December, a notable spike in thefts involved the stealing of smart vacuum cleaners, humorously dubbed “the great Roomba heist,” illustrating the thieves' opportunistic targeting of high-demand consumer electronics. Law enforcement agencies responded with significant operations, including search warrants and raids that led to the arrest of 43 suspects and the recovery of approximately $3 million in stolen merchandise.

“They work with law enforcement.”
[09:24]

6. Resale Channels and Challenges

The hosts discuss the challenges in tracking and intercepting stolen goods due to the extensive resale networks online. Platforms like Amazon and eBay have policies against criminal activities, but the sheer volume and anonymity provided by these marketplaces make enforcement difficult. Additionally, physical sneaker stores in malls often stock used sneakers, some of which may originate from these thefts, further complicating efforts to curb the black-market sales.

“There's walls of these used sneakers. Well, I wonder what percentage are stolen... But every mall has one of those stores now, especially upscale malls.”
[09:58]

7. Cultural and Psychological Factors

A significant portion of the conversation explores the cultural fascination with exclusive sneakers and the psychological drivers behind their theft. The allure of owning rare and expensive footwear, combined with peer influence and societal status, fuels both the demand and the criminal activities associated with these goods.

“Human beings and what they value. Such an interesting study.”
[11:43]

8. Conclusion and Future Outlook

The episode concludes with Armstrong and Getty reflecting on the ongoing battle between law enforcement and criminal enterprises in addressing cargo thefts. They emphasize the need for enhanced security measures, better tracking technologies, and increased collaboration between rail companies and authorities to mitigate these losses.

“Nobody is breaking several different laws and I'd be happy to testify. Let's see.”
[08:13]

Armstrong encapsulates the gravity of the situation by highlighting the significant economic implications and the persistent efforts required to combat these sophisticated theft operations.

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Notable Quotes:

• Armstrong: “They slash an air brake hose, causing my long line of rail cars to screech to emergency stop. Then they go shopping.”
  [04:03]

• Sports Commentator: “Those shoes... they retail for 225. They'll sell out that day, that night they'll be all over eBay for five to eight hundred dollars.”
  [06:15]

• Host: “Human beings and what they value. Such an interesting study.”
  [11:43]

---

Final Thoughts:

"The James Gang Would Be Impressed!" provides listeners with an eye-opening analysis of a growing criminal trend that intertwines modern consumer culture with traditional theft methods. Through in-depth discussions and expert insights, Armstrong and Getty shed light on the complexities of cargo thefts, the perils faced by rail companies, and the broader societal implications of such illicit activities. This episode serves as a compelling call to action for increased vigilance and innovative solutions to protect valuable merchandise from falling into the hands of organized crime.

Transcript

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The James Gang would be impressed. It's one more thing.

[Sports Commentator]

Armstrong and Getty.

[Host]

One more thing. And I refer not to Joe Walsh's pre Eagles, pre solo career outfit, the three piece Canadian classic rock heroes, the James Gang, but indeed the gun wielding Western bandits, specifically train robbers. We talked during the Armstrong Getty radio show about the Mojave Desert train heists that targeted like unreleased Nike sneakers and how that's just become it's a huge thing now. But how they do it and how big a problem it is was a little long to get into on the radio show, so thought I would describe it to you. The thieves stealthily board eastbound freight trains, hiding out until they reach the lonely stretches of the Mojave Desert or High Plains way, way from towns. Then they slash an air brake hose, causing my long line of rail cars to screech to emergency stop. Then they go shopping.

[Sports Commentator]

How many people are on one of these trains? Probably not very many people at all. Right. I mean the official people that work on the train.

[Host]

Oh no, it might be, you know, just a couple.

[Sports Commentator]

Yeah.

[Host]

I actually, I looked into that for odd reasons years ago just how many people were on a train. And, and because I wanted to do a ride along from Reno to Sacramento on one of the freight trains.

[Sports Commentator]

Cool.

[Host]

And learn more about freight trains. But they were in the midst of this bitter union dispute as the companies were trying to go from like three people on the train to two or whatever it was. And anyway, so it's very, very few people, but so investigators are describing a string of at least 10 heists targeting BNSF trains in California and Arizona since March last March. All but one resulted in the theft of Nike sneakers, their combined value approaching $2 million. So they, they cut the air hose and they give some of the particulars of this one theft. Many were Nigel Sylvester Air Jordan Fours. Who's Nigel Sylvester?

[Sports Commentator]

No, no rapper. My My Son would know.

[Host]

Not going to be available until March 14th. Expected to retail for 225 per pair, but go for a lot more on the black market. So the the theft crews typically scout high value merchandise on rail lines that Parallel Parallel Interstate 40. They board the slow moving trains like when they're changing tracks and opening containers, according to the veep of operations and deputy sheriff who's interviewed. So the thieves are sometimes tipped off to valuable shipments by confederate federates working at warehouses or trucking companies. Other times they simply look for containers with high security locks. They figure they're there for a reason. Then they cut them with reciprocating saws or bolt cutters. According to homeland Security. Once the desired loot is found, the thieves alert follow vehicles which track the train. The stolen goods are then tossed off the train after it comes to a halt, either for a schedule stopper because the air hose cut or they can cut control wires inside signal boxes too to make the train stop, according to federal agents.

[Sports Commentator]

Well, one of the advantage of stealing these Nike shoes just because my son's so into it and he has several pair of real expensive. He bought them in the, he got them for Christmas or birthday in the, you know the, the aftermarket is, there's such an aftermarket already built in for this. It'd be so easy to fence this stuff, you know, because like Louis Vuitton bags, it's just not like a built in infrastructure for those real bags to be sold in the aftermarket for more money than they go for. But there is for Nike shoes, man, there's all kinds of websites that do that and ebay's full of them. I mean they're all over the place and they'll retail for 225. They'll sell out that day, that night they'll be all over eBay for five to eight hundred dollars and all over the place. So it's not like people are suspicious they might be stolen immediately because it's, it's common every single day and it's.

[Host]

The opposite of most stolen goods which you're going to have to sell at a discount.

[Sports Commentator]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Host]

So the cargo is then loaded into box. Trucks are hidden in nearby brush until they arrive, provided the surveillance crews that also follow the train don't detect law enforcement. These tactics often employed by transnational criminal groups that consist primarily of Mexican citizens from Sinaloa. According to the feds, including the Sinaloa cartel, there were at least 65,000 railroad cargo thefts last year, which is up 40% from 2023. More lawlessness. The thefts which are typically classified as burglaries because they don't involve directly confronting victims, which is the definition of a robbery. They're believed to cost the nation's rail companies more than $100 million. And it could be an undercount because railroads don't publicize all the thefts.

[Sports Commentator]

Sure. All I can say is if you're in a cartel and listening a pair of Travis Scott mochas, an eleven and a half, throw you a couple of bones and oh Lord, this is.

[Host]

Nobody is breaking several different laws and I'd be happy to testify. Let's see. The company's crews, of course, are instructed not to confront thieves, but to report the incidents instead. But the crews rarely encounter them because the trains are so long and thieves take care to evade detection. The thefts tend to ebb and flow, often tied to the release of desirable new products. In December, investigators saw a rash of thefts in which smart vacuum cleaners were stolen from train containers. The great Roomba heist.

[Sports Commentator]

That's so interesting. So, like speaking of Travis Scott Nikes, they, they had a release on those two months ago. On their latest. There's only been like five Travis Scott releases. I guarantee you when those were released, they hit a train because boom, so much money to be made. Yeah, those, those shoes for instance, they sell out at 200. Around 200 bucks. They'd be worth 1500 dollars that evening. 1500 dollars per pair.

[Host]

Wow.

[Sports Commentator]

Easily. So. So there's not be a lot of money in that.

[Guest]

This Nigel Sylvester guy is a BMX athlete.

[Sports Commentator]

Ah, that's right. My son told me about that.

[Guest]

I'm looking at these shoes. Ah, they're ugly. Cartel can keep them.

[Host]

That's not the point. But as Jack, who has a really odd amount of information on Stol, informed us, the stolen merchandise usually transported to California to be sold or offered for sale via online third party Amazon, eBay resellers. Both Amazon and ebay said in statements that they have zero tolerance for criminal activities on their platforms.

[Sports Commentator]

Well, like I know you don't go to mall.

[Host]

They work with law enforcement.

[Sports Commentator]

You're not a mall guy, so you probably don't know this, but every mall now, and this is only better than the last couple of years, has got a store that sells all kinds of sneakers. And they're all wrapped in plastic. They're used, all of them. And there are walls of these used sneakers. Well, I wonder what percentage of are stolen. I always just assumed it was people that were able to buy them at the original price and then were willing to let them go for more money. But there's. Every mall has one of those stores now, Especially upscale malls.

[Host]

Yeah.

[Sports Commentator]

Wow.

[Host]

June of last year, California local law enforcement agencies and Homeland Security executing a search warrant at 11 residences and 16 storage units relating to the ongoing train burglaries. Arresting 43 suspects and recovering from the storage units about 3 million bucks worth of merchandise believed to have been stolen from the BNSF train.

[Sports Commentator]

Come back for train robberies.

[Guest]

I'm looking at a pair of these. One pair of these is on ebay right now. It's a size nine for nineteen hundred dollars.

[Sports Commentator]

What are they?

[Guest]

The Nigel Air Jordan. What? The model that was stolen.

[Sports Commentator]

1900 bucks?

[Guest]

Yeah, 1900 bucks. But it's a size nine. Sorry.

[Sports Commentator]

Yeah, I was. I was unaware of this whole thing until. I don't know. Last we'd go in the grocery store and Sam would say, dad, that guy over there is wearing fifteen hundred dollars shoes. I mean, like what? They just look like a pair of Nikes to me. No, no, no.

[Host]

Huh.

[Guest]

I'd be worried I was going to get jumped and my shoes would get stolen.

[Sports Commentator]

I'm surprised that doesn't happen more often.

[Host]

I remember when Air Jordans first came out. It did all the time.

[Sports Commentator]

Must depend on your neighborhood you're in. I mean, because. And they most. Most young people, like my son, wear them untied. God, if you just pushed him over, you could slide him off his feet. So easy in there. Not to give any hints.

[Host]

Yeah, yeah. Human beings and what they value. Such an interesting study.

[Sports Commentator]

Psychologically, no doubt. Well, I guess that's it.

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