LOS ANGELES — The 34-year-old owner of a popular online business in Los Angeles specializing in the resale of limited-edition shoes and apparel has been arrested in connection with the theft of merchandise worth $500,000, police announced Monday.
Adeel Shams, owner of Coolkicks, was arrested Thursday after a joint law enforcement task force executed a search warrant in the 1700 block of Stewart Street in Santa Monica, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Sham was booked into the LAPD’s Metropolitan Detention Center on suspicion of receiving stolen property.
The raid involved detectives from the LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division Cargo Theft Unit, along with personnel from the Union Pacific Railroad Police, Los Angeles Port Police, Los Angeles Word Airport Police and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
During the siege, investigators recovered stolen cargo containing over 2,100 pairs of Nike shoes and 150 cartons of various Nike apparel and footwear from inside the business, authorities said.
“This case underscores the importance of interagency collaboration in combating large-scale cargo theft and preserving the integrity of commercial supply chains. The investigation is ongoing and further arrests are expected,” the LAPD said in a statement.
In a statement on social media, Coolkicks on Friday said: “The LAPD impounded a small allotment of Nike sneakers that Coolkicks purchased and received … alleging that the merchandise was stolen.”
“Neither Coolkicks leadership, nor our staff, had any knowledge or reason to believe that these products were stolen. … We are confident the truth will come out.”
Anyone with information regarding the alleged cargo theft was urged to contact the LAPD Commercial Crime Division Cargo Theft Unit at 213-486-5920. Calls during non-business hours or weekends should be directed to 877-527-3247. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org
The Los Angeles Daily News contributed to this story.
