LA thieves ransack freight trains, loot Amazon, FedEx, UPS packages, unused COVID-19 tests

LOS ANGELES — Brazen daylight thefts of freight trains arriving near downtown Los Angeles have left a portion of the Union Pacific tracks littered with thousands of shredded packages.

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According to KGO-TV, once the goods have been tossed out of moving freight trains, other people swoop in to snag the most valuable items from the littered tracks. To date, investigators have found the remnants of everything from tattered Amazon packages and desecrated FedEx wares to unused COVID-19 tests and flattened UPS packages.

Union Pacific spokesperson Lupe Valdez told KTTV that cargo thefts in Los Angeles County have increased in recent weeks by more than 160%, meaning an estimated 90 cargo containers per day are being hit.

“We’ve made arrests, but we have yet to hear back on a single prosecution,” Valdez added, explaining that the railroad has worked closely with both the Los Angeles Police and Sheriff’s departments to target criminals in open areas but the deterrents in place are not putting a dent in the looting.

Specifically, Valdez told the TV station that the thefts mushroomed after both bail and the prosecution of misdemeanors was suspended.

The office of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón issued the following statement when asked by KTTV why Union Pacific has not received a response to a December letter asking his office for assistance with escalating thefts:

“Our office is committed to working with law enforcement to ensure collective safety across Los Angeles County’s sprawling infrastructure, whether it’s at our ports or on railroad tracks.

“Some cases presented to our office by Union Pacific have been filed, such as burglary and grand theft, while others have been declined due to insufficient evidence. We make charging decisions based on the evidence.

“Our office takes Union Pacific’s concerns seriously and hopes to discuss this issue more in the coming weeks.”

Union Pacific told KGO-TV that the particular stretch of track was cleaned up just 30 days ago, and police confirmed to the TV station that patrols have been increased in the area.

Meanwhile, Valdez told KKTV that if progress is not made soon, Union Pacific may be forced to divert routes around the recent problem spots.

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