LA train car thefts: $18 million worth of stolen goods seized, 22 arrested in burglary ring raids

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Nearly two dozen arrests were made in a year-long investigation into train thefts, the Los Angeles Police Department said Thursday.

The Train Burglary Task Force has caught the suspects, who police say were members of a criminal enterprise that targeted and broke into cargo containers moving through LA County.

Authorities say the arrest of 22 suspects linked to a lion’s share of the thefts was successful in halting the operation.

LAPD Capt. Alfonso Lopez said more than $18 million worth of stolen cargo was recovered.

LAPD chief Michel Moore said the task force was focused on crackdowns in downtown LA.

The task force also included the Union Pacific Railroad Police and other law enforcement agencies.

Union Pacific, one of the country’s largest railroad companies, said thefts in the county were up 160% year over year.

Train officials say bandits just jump across the tracks and take packages right off the train.

Moore pointed out that in one such railcar theft, dozens of weapons — rifles and handguns — were stolen on tracks.