ByKelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
ByKelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
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.
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.
Supply-chain woes seem to be getting downright dystopian. Now thieves are looting containers on freight trains coming out of Los Angeles. https://t.co/xyrvbZPyxb
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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Thieves target LA freight trains Shredded boxes and packages are seen at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded packages. The sea of debris left behind included items that the thieves apparently didn't think were valuable enough to take, CBSLA reported Thursday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains Shredded boxes and packages are seen at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded packages. The sea of debris left behind included items that the thieves apparently didn't think were valuable enough to take, CBSLA reported Thursday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains Contractor worker Adam Rodriguez picks up vehicle tires from the shredded boxes and packages along a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded packages. The sea of debris left behind included items that the thieves apparently didn't think were valuable enough to take, CBSLA reported Thursday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains A police officer watches looks shredded boxes and packages at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded packages. The sea of debris left behind included items that the thieves apparently didn't think were valuable enough to take, CBSLA reported Thursday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains Shredded boxes and packages are seen at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded packages. The sea of debris left behind included items that the thieves apparently didn't think were valuable enough to take, CBSLA reported Thursday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains Shredded boxes and packages are seen at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded packages. The sea of debris left behind included items that the thieves apparently didn't think were valuable enough to take, CBSLA reported Thursday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains Shredded boxes and packages are seen at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains Shredded boxes and packages are at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, taking packages belonging to people across the U.S. and leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded boxes. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains Contractor workers Adam Rodriguez, front, and Luis Rosas pick up vehicle tires from the shredded boxes and packages along a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded packages. The sea of debris left behind included items that the thieves apparently didn't think were valuable enough to take, CBSLA reported Thursday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains Shredded boxes and packages and debris are strewn along at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded packages. The sea of debris left behind included items that the thieves apparently didn't think were valuable enough to take, CBSLA reported Thursday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains Contractor worker Luis Rosas removes vehicle tires from the shredded boxes and packages along a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded packages. The sea of debris left behind included items that the thieves apparently didn't think were valuable enough to take, CBSLA reported Thursday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains Shredded boxes and packages are seen at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded packages. The sea of debris left behind included items that the thieves apparently didn't think were valuable enough to take, CBSLA reported Thursday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains Shredded boxes and packages are seen at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. Thieves have been raiding cargo containers aboard trains nearing downtown Los Angeles for months, leaving the tracks blanketed with discarded packages. The sea of debris left behind included items that the thieves apparently didn't think were valuable enough to take, CBSLA reported Thursday. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
Thieves target LA freight trains This aerial photo taken with a drone, shows shredded boxes and packages are seen at a section of the Union Pacific train tracks in downtown Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)
