California law enforcement apprehended a suspect accused of running a massive organized retail crime operation, uncovering a warehouse stuffed with millions of dollars worth of Nike merchandise in the process.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s ( LAPD ) Commercial Crimes Division Cargo Theft Unit, the Major Theft Task Force, and the Organized Retail Crimes Task Force ( ORCTF ) executed two search warrants on Jan. 27, searching locations in Hollywood and the City of Hawthorne, Calif. According to police, the suspect was seen delivering the stolen Nike shoes to the Hawthorne location, which was identified as a warehouse.
Nike’s global security director aided detectives and other supply chain investigators in searching the facility, leading to the discovery of thousands of pairs of Nike shoes, clothing, accessories and “unique prototypes” not released to the public. The entire haul was worth about $5 million, LAPD said.