{"id":28895,"date":"2026-08-05T19:18:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T14:18:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=28895"},"modified":"2026-08-05T19:18:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T14:18:36","slug":"how-nike-insiders-were-charged-in-a-lucrative-sneaker-theft-conspiracy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=28895","title":{"rendered":"How Nike insiders were charged in a lucrative sneaker theft conspiracy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-element=\"story-body\" data-subscriber-content=\"\">\n<p>One day last fall, Roy Lee Harvey got into a Lyft in Phoenix and headed across town. He and the driver started chatting, and authorities say Harvey told the man about his work buying high-end Nike sneakers from shoe companies and reselling them for a healthy profit.<\/p>\n<p>The Lyft driver thought it sounded like a good business opportunity, so the two men exchanged numbers and later met up at an apartment in nearby Scottsdale, where, according to police investigators, Harvey showed him into a room strewn with different pairs of Nikes and their cardboard boxes.<\/p>\n<p>The most coveted shoe models, which the company manufactures in limited runs, can fetch three or four times more than their retail value on the resale market. Reselling sneakers has become a multibillion-dollar global industry. Social media influencers generate hype through unboxing videos that draw millions of views. <\/p>\n<p>Fashionistas known as sneakerheads scramble to buy and trade the latest styles, paying a premium for the rarest pairs. Some treat them as investments, never wearing their purchases in order to keep them in mint condition. Like a sports car or a fine wine, they say, the value of shoes can increase as they get older. <\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">  <gn-carousel data-element=\"carousel\" class=\"carousel carousel-dynamic-ar block h-auto relative\" data-arrows=\"\" data-transition=\"scroll\" data-tracking=\"true\"> <\/p>\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slides\">\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slide\" data-click=\"slide0promoSmall\">\n<div class=\"carousel-slide-inner\" data-info-title=\"1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16185-021.jpg\" data-info-attribution=\"Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times\" data-image-bsp-id=\"0000018b-3b18-d244-addb-7b3e68810000\">\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slide-wrapper\" class=\"relative\">\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slide-media\">  <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/997420e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F10%2F10c245034893adf233fc1cf3071a%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16185-021.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/fad0d1d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F10%2F10c245034893adf233fc1cf3071a%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16185-021.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/117ffae\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F10%2F10c245034893adf233fc1cf3071a%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16185-021.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/90b4bf3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1024x683!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F10%2F10c245034893adf233fc1cf3071a%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16185-021.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/8d2bbf9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1440x961!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F10%2F10c245034893adf233fc1cf3071a%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16185-021.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"A side view of a shoe with the word 'AIR' on it\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d0e20ba\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F10%2F10c245034893adf233fc1cf3071a%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16185-021.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/958dc55\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F10%2F10c245034893adf233fc1cf3071a%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16185-021.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/06e1a96\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F10%2F10c245034893adf233fc1cf3071a%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16185-021.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ac10954\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1024x683!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F10%2F10c245034893adf233fc1cf3071a%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16185-021.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6308f7e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1440x961!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F10%2F10c245034893adf233fc1cf3071a%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16185-021.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1439\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/fb9c8f4\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1439x960!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb3%2F10%2F10c245034893adf233fc1cf3071a%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16185-021.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"carousel-slide-info\" data-slide-info=\"\">\n<p> <span class=\"carousel-slide-current-slide\">1<\/span>\/<span class=\"carousel-slide-length\">4<\/span> <\/p>\n<p>The Off-White \u201cMCA\u201d Nike Air Force 1 Low, one of the most popular and expensive pair of Nike sneakers, sells for $3,500 at CoolKicks in Los Angeles. \u00a0  <span class=\"carousel-slide-info-attribution\">(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slide\" data-click=\"slide1promoSmall\">\n<div class=\"carousel-slide-inner\" data-info-title=\"1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16169-007.jpg\" data-info-attribution=\"Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times\" data-image-bsp-id=\"0000018b-3b17-d244-addb-7b37a1940000\">\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slide-wrapper\" class=\"relative\">\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slide-media\">  <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/57db210\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2Fdb%2F74a09af84e3891350e816e9c89c9%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16169-007.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b1fe685\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2Fdb%2F74a09af84e3891350e816e9c89c9%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16169-007.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9af2197\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2Fdb%2F74a09af84e3891350e816e9c89c9%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16169-007.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/689bf22\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1024x683!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2Fdb%2F74a09af84e3891350e816e9c89c9%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16169-007.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/dae314a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1440x961!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2Fdb%2F74a09af84e3891350e816e9c89c9%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16169-007.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"The Travis Scott Nike Dunk Low\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d9064da\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2Fdb%2F74a09af84e3891350e816e9c89c9%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16169-007.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9239ce0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2Fdb%2F74a09af84e3891350e816e9c89c9%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16169-007.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/31c544d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2Fdb%2F74a09af84e3891350e816e9c89c9%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16169-007.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e416519\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1024x683!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2Fdb%2F74a09af84e3891350e816e9c89c9%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16169-007.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b90c731\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1440x961!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2Fdb%2F74a09af84e3891350e816e9c89c9%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16169-007.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1439\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/0509a09\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1439x960!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4e%2Fdb%2F74a09af84e3891350e816e9c89c9%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16169-007.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"carousel-slide-info\" data-slide-info=\"\">\n<p> <span class=\"carousel-slide-current-slide\">2<\/span>\/<span class=\"carousel-slide-length\">4<\/span> <\/p>\n<p>The Travis Scott Nike Dunk Low, one of the most popular and expensive pair of Nike sneakers, sells for $1,600 at CoolKicks.\u00a0  <span class=\"carousel-slide-info-attribution\">(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slide\" data-click=\"slide2promoSmall\">\n<div class=\"carousel-slide-inner\" data-info-title=\"1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16189-025.jpg\" data-info-attribution=\"Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times\" data-image-bsp-id=\"0000018b-3b17-d244-addb-7b37561e0000\">\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slide-wrapper\" class=\"relative\">\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slide-media\">  <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b1bf0ab\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fc4%2F2624f2b7479b892df77cd08fa9e6%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16189-025.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/68e3617\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fc4%2F2624f2b7479b892df77cd08fa9e6%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16189-025.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9aa2757\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fc4%2F2624f2b7479b892df77cd08fa9e6%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16189-025.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/8b874b8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1024x683!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fc4%2F2624f2b7479b892df77cd08fa9e6%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16189-025.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e6c6ab6\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1440x961!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fc4%2F2624f2b7479b892df77cd08fa9e6%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16189-025.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"A side view of a white and blue high-top shoe with a blue swoosh\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/834101c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fc4%2F2624f2b7479b892df77cd08fa9e6%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16189-025.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7052e8c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fc4%2F2624f2b7479b892df77cd08fa9e6%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16189-025.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/68455f9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fc4%2F2624f2b7479b892df77cd08fa9e6%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16189-025.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f382d2e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1024x683!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fc4%2F2624f2b7479b892df77cd08fa9e6%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16189-025.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7d98369\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1440x961!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fc4%2F2624f2b7479b892df77cd08fa9e6%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16189-025.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1439\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4676214\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1439x960!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffa%2Fc4%2F2624f2b7479b892df77cd08fa9e6%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16189-025.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"carousel-slide-info\" data-slide-info=\"\">\n<p> <span class=\"carousel-slide-current-slide\">3<\/span>\/<span class=\"carousel-slide-length\">4<\/span> <\/p>\n<p>The Off-White \u201cUNC\u201d Jordan 1 High sells for $2,300 at CoolKicks.\u00a0  <span class=\"carousel-slide-info-attribution\">(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slide\" data-click=\"slide3promoSmall\">\n<div class=\"carousel-slide-inner\" data-info-title=\"1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16172-009.jpg\" data-info-attribution=\"Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times\" data-image-bsp-id=\"0000018b-3b17-d244-addb-7b3788ea0000\">\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slide-wrapper\" class=\"relative\">\n<div data-element=\"carousel-slide-media\">  <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6644676\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F7b%2F5b56302840069c22cf1fa46957be%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16172-009.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/5c57471\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F7b%2F5b56302840069c22cf1fa46957be%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16172-009.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/28ee68f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F7b%2F5b56302840069c22cf1fa46957be%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16172-009.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a26a96d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1024x683!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F7b%2F5b56302840069c22cf1fa46957be%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16172-009.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e95cd08\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1440x961!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F7b%2F5b56302840069c22cf1fa46957be%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16172-009.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"A side view of a shoe that has black, blue, yellow and green colors.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9e36dd0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F7b%2F5b56302840069c22cf1fa46957be%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16172-009.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e3110e0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F7b%2F5b56302840069c22cf1fa46957be%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16172-009.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/56b5ec9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F7b%2F5b56302840069c22cf1fa46957be%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16172-009.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/423fd5b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1024x683!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F7b%2F5b56302840069c22cf1fa46957be%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16172-009.jpg 1024w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/3c26766\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1440x961!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F7b%2F5b56302840069c22cf1fa46957be%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16172-009.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"1439\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a378dba\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6122x4083+0+0\/resize\/1439x960!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0b%2F7b%2F5b56302840069c22cf1fa46957be%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-16172-009.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"carousel-slide-info\" data-slide-info=\"\">\n<p> <span class=\"carousel-slide-current-slide\">4<\/span>\/<span class=\"carousel-slide-length\">4<\/span> <\/p>\n<p>Ben &amp; Jerry\u2019s \u201cChunky Dunky\u201d Nike Dunk Low sneaker is shown.\u00a0  <span class=\"carousel-slide-info-attribution\">(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <\/gn-carousel>     <\/div>\n<p>Harvey\u2019s collection was so vast that the Lyft driver became suspicious, according to a police search warrant affidavit reviewed by The Times. After leaving the apartment, police said, the driver googled Harvey and found that he faced multiple <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2024-02-25\/how-lapd-sophisticated-nike-theft-ring\">state felony charges in California for allegedly running an extensive sneaker theft ring<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, federal authorities added another case against Harvey, unsealing an <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2026-07-23\/coolkicks-owner-indicted-in-alleged-2-million-nike-warehouse-theft-scheme\">indictment <\/a>that charged him and several major shoe resellers in Los Angeles, Chicago and Indiana with paying Nike employees to help steal hundreds of hard-to-find styles that they in turn flipped. <\/p>\n<p>Harvey has pleaded not guilty. In his state court case, his attorney has accused police of overreaching, arguing there\u2019s no evidence his client knew the shoes were stolen and added that Nike didn\u2019t suffer a loss from shoes sold on the resale market.<\/p>\n<p>Det. Marc Sternin of the Los Angeles Police Department\u2019s commercial crimes division testified in a September 2024 preliminary hearing that he first began investigating the alleged theft ring in January 2024 after being contacted by investigators from Nike, who had discovered some strangely labeled packages at one of their distribution centers in Memphis, Tenn. <\/p>\n<p>The packages had UPS labels, but were found sitting in the back of a U.S. postal truck, Sternin testified. They were bound for private residences where Harvey lived or had access to in Hollywood, instead of a Nike retailer, the detective said.<\/p>\n<p>An internal Nike investigation determined that the suspected thieves were covering up the original shipping labels with labels redirecting them to several addresses in the Hollywood area, a practice known as \u201cghost labeling,\u201d according to Sternin. Nike investigators, he said, found at least 28 such mislabeled boxes.<\/p>\n<p>The investigation\u2019s inventory reads like a sneakerhead\u2019s Christmas wish list: Nike Dunk Low Off-Whites. Nike SB Dunk Low City of Loves. Nike 6 Protro, a.k.a. the Reverse Grinches. All in their original boxes, according to Sternin. <\/p>\n<p>Working with Nike and the FBI, Sternin said LAPD investigators hatched a plan to insert GPS tracking devices into each of the 28 packages and allow them to be delivered. <\/p>\n<p>An LAPD surveillance squad staked out the building before the scheduled delivery and saw Harvey and a woman retrieve the packages, Sternin testified. Police later pulled over a U-Haul truck that Harvey was driving with the same woman, and seized the packages, according to the detective\u2019s statements in court.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure m-0\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/3915361\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/320x240!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1585a34\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/568x426!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/8b567e0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/768x576!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6e5503d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/1080x810!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/05fe304\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/1240x930!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/c2b973d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/1440x1080!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/3b9331f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/2160x1620!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Stolen Nike shoes, clothing and accessories\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/db9c124\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/320x240!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7b03ef9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/568x426!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a02e47d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/768x576!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/18d8628\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/1080x810!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/8d9166f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/1240x930!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/bb091e3\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/1440x1080!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/3335cac\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/2160x1620!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1592f91\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/1000x750+0+0\/resize\/2000x1500!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F0e%2Fad%2Fd87a1c3846a3a980848d2b3ce0bb%2Fla-me-stolen-nike-merchandise.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>LAPD detectives and Nike\u2019s security team said they discovered thousands of pairs of stolen shoes, clothing and accessories worth approximately $5 million at a warehouse in Hawthorne.<\/p>\n<p>(LAPD)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>The two were brought back to the Hollywood station for questioning. Harvey told detectives that he\u2019d been around the shoe business since he was 16 years old, but otherwise refused to answer their questions, Sternin testified.<\/p>\n<p>Detectives obtained search warrants for Harvey\u2019s cellphone and his iCloud account, gaining access to his call records, notes, photographs, text messages and other data.<\/p>\n<p>One number, with a 901 prefix from Shelby County, Tenn., jumped out, Sternin testified, because of the number of times that Harvey had contacted it. Nike personnel records revealed that the number belonged to Michael Reno Perkins, who worked as a supervisor on the floor of the company\u2019s roughly 1-million-square-foot Memphis distribution facility. <\/p>\n<p>Perkins, according to the detective\u2019s testimony during the preliminary hearing, is suspected of recruiting a group of employees under his supervision into the alleged scheme. Harvey would act as a broker of sorts, police said, instructing Perkins and his co-conspirators on which shoes to steal based on demand from resellers.<\/p>\n<p>On July 21, Perkins was indicted in federal court in Tennessee along with Harvey and 10 other people. Among the others charged was Bereket Abraham, the 39-year-old former co-owner of the famous sneaker retailer CoolKicks of L.A.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure m-0\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/51b664f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f4f1fd5\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/2b1b9d9\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1cb5c91\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/2098e64\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1240x827!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/93396ed\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/2cca0ba\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/2160x1441!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Sneaker store Cool Kicks on Melrose Avenue\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/cb13bf4\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d1e53f4\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/fb35e22\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f9b6028\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9337104\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1240x827!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/10e5a00\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/00821ac\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/2160x1441!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/08b7a73\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/2000x1334!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fdb%2F5c%2F893ce793471bb47d1220554c11b7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-272-1.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>Bereket Abraham, an investor behind CoolKicks on Melrose Avenue, is among those charged by federal proscutors in a scheme to obtain stolen Nike shoes. The store said in a statement that \u201cthe indictment contains no allegations of wrongdoing by CoolKicks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>Abraham has not yet entered a plea, according to online records. His attorney, Bill Massey, declined to comment, saying his legal team was \u201cbusy reviewing the information made available thus far.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The defendants in the federal case are charged with conspiring to steal at least $2 million in Nike products between 2021 and 2024.<\/p>\n<p>CoolKicks\u2019 other owner, Adeel Shams, was not among those named in the indictment. Shams was livestreaming in a CoolKicks warehouse when <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/business\/story\/2025-10-06\/sneakerhead-influencer-arrested\">LAPD officers burst inside during a search warrant operation<\/a> in October and detained him and other employees, accusing the company of buying stolen shoes. Shams was later released, without charges.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement after the federal charges were announced, CoolKicks said that it had \u201cterminated\u201d Abraham\u2019s relationship with the company.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile Mr. Abraham owns stock in CoolKicks, the indictment contains no allegations of wrongdoing by CoolKicks or anyone else associated with CoolKicks,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure m-0\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/540bcb6\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/afca96d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/55a88a7\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/b9f6cd1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/c977bec\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1240x827!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f8d8618\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/94508db\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/2160x1441!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Shoes on sale at CoolKicks\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/42d20b1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/ea18e52\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7b71d1e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/9e4054d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/4a9895e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1240x827!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/e878b22\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/aa095c8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/2160x1441!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/dad4036\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/2000x1334!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F34%2F2c%2Fe5cdb63544bc8d28d63e96b21ce7%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14251.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>More than 2,000 shoes are on sale at Cool Kicks, including the Atmos Air Max 1 Giraffe, left, which retails for about $350 and was photographed on Sept. 22, 2023.<\/p>\n<p>(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>Other indicted co-conspirators included Jorge Cuellar, 30, another popular online sneaker reseller and social media personality known as \u201chorehead_sales.\u201d Attempts to reach Cuellar were unsuccessful. <\/p>\n<p>Cuellar owns Horhead Investments, a shoe reseller in L.A.  that sent wire transfers to a Memphis-based food truck company owned by co-defendant Keith Cannon for $696,700 between April 2023 and November 2023, according to Sternin\u2019s testimony. CoolKicks paid Cannon and Harvey $127,000 and $88,275, respectively, the detective said in court.<\/p>\n<p>Sternin said in his court testimony that when investigators searched Harvey\u2019s phone data, they discovered a group thread between him and two sisters that appeared to show them coordinating how they would retrieve the \u201cghost label\u201d packages that had been surreptitiously shipped from the Nike warehouse.<\/p>\n<p>Harvey instructed the two women to go rent a U-Haul and meet the driver to collect the UPS packages at designated locations, which were also relayed to Cuellar, Sternin said in court.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure m-0\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1d219b8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/5a02ba8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/c417323\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6d532f4\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/1666aaa\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1240x827!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6deedd0\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/7bbc172\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/2160x1441!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"A shoe buyer at CoolKicks shows off the Air Jordan 1 x Dior, High\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/503b4ac\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/fe5ab5b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d528336\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/34395de\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/60e2b9f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1240x827!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/a31b368\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/60bddf6\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/2160x1441!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/f861a24\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6706x4473+0+0\/resize\/2000x1334!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2Fde%2Ffa0f6d01442384bb58b23aa0e942%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14196.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>A shoe buyer at CoolKicks shows off the Air Jordan 1 x Dior, High, an exclusive pair that was selling for around $10,000 on Sept. 22, 2023.<\/p>\n<p>(Jay L. Clendenin \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>Among shoe giants such as Nike, there has been a grudging tolerance of the resale market, according to Kelcie Slaton, a professor at the University of North Texas whose research has revolved around the question of why sneaker lovers are willing to spend many times more than market value for rare shoes.<\/p>\n<p>Slaton told The Times that the secondhand market eats into Nike\u2019s profit margins, while at the same time creating soaring demand for their products.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe consumers, they\u2019re not loyal to the resellers; they\u2019re loyal to the brand,\u201d Slaton said.<\/p>\n<p>That cases such as Harvey\u2019s would lead back to L.A. is hardly surprising, authorities say, given the reputation the city has earned in recent years as the <a class=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/california\/story\/2025-02-23\/freight-train-heists-targeting-nike-merchandise-are-probed-as-related\">country\u2019s cargo theft capital<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Thieves have targeted seaports, train yards and other \u201cchokepoints\u201d along the domestic supply chain where shipments of electronics, clothing and other high-value items are held. Authorities say that their methods include hacking into emails and setting up fake trucking companies to schedule pickups \u2014 or simply breaking into shipping containers with bolt cutters. <\/p>\n<div class=\"enhancement\" data-click=\"enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<figure class=\"figure m-0\"> <picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d12acb1\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/2d3c37e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/5f856e8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/feaaa1a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/540d8dc\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/1240x826!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6a3c691\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/800f457\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/2160x1440!\/format\/webp\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\"\/><img class=\"image\" alt=\"Recovered stolen train cargo, including unreleased Nike shoes\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/3f80794\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/320x213!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 320w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/afcdd0c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/568x379!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 568w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/6cdac7b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/768x512!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 768w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d59a7e8\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/1080x720!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 1080w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/3f7b88d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/1240x826!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 1240w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/d9f94fb\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/1440x960!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 1440w,https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/893007e\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/2160x1440!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"auto, 100vw\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/438be9b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/858x572+0+0\/resize\/2000x1333!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fe5%2F305180e14d65ac1dde990e921f1f%2Fla-me-stolen-nikes.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>   <\/picture>\n<div class=\"figure-content\">\n<p>LAPD detectives said they recovered an estimated $500,000 worth of stolen train cargo, including unreleased Nike shoes and clothing, earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p>(LAPD)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<p>Most stolen gear is offloaded through \u201cfences\u201d and ends up in consignment shops or online marketplaces, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff\u2019s Department Det. Kyle Crowley.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe bad guys will steal, they\u2019ll flip it for 30%, then the next guy will flip it for 35%, the next guy flips it [and] it just goes from distributor to distributor,\u201d said Crowley, a member of the department\u2019s cargo theft unit. \u201cThe first line of buyers, they know the stuff\u2019s stolen; they don\u2019t care. The second and third and fourth, fifth, 10th line of buyers of that wholesale cargo, whether they know or care, it\u2019s hard to prove.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The LAPD\u2019s Nike case has been parsed in the online sneakerhead community, with questions raised about how much local dealers knew \u2014 or should have known \u2014 about the origins of their merchandise. Some commenters have dismissed the case as police overreach. Others pointed out that most major resellers have relationships with shoe company officials, or plugs, who occasionally offer them first dibs on a new release.<\/p>\n<p>Among those resellers whose warehouses was raided was Project Blitz, whose owner Andre Ljustina has not been charged and has sued the city, alleging that the LAPD has refused to release his entire inventory.<\/p>\n<p>Harvey initially came under investigation in early 2024 and authorities charge that he continued to pilfer shoes even after he knew that police were onto him.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities have cited the Lyft incident in court filings asking a judge to revoke Harvey\u2019s bail. The ride-share driver contacted the LAPD after Harvey allegedly threatened to harm him, his wife, their son and their dog, according to court testimony by Sternin, the LAPD detective. Harvey has not been charged in that case.<\/p>\n<p>At the time of his trip to Phoenix, according to a search warrant affidavit, Harvey was on pretrial release under conditions that ordered him to stop selling shoes and to not travel out of California without permission.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>One day last fall, Roy Lee Harvey got into a Lyft in Phoenix and headed across town. He and the driver started chatting, and authorities say Harvey told the man about his work buying high-end Nike sneakers from shoe companies and reselling them for a healthy profit. The Lyft driver thought it sounded like a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28896,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/ca-times.brightspotcdn.com\/dims4\/default\/840f37b\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6708x3522+0+475\/resize\/1200x630!\/quality\/75\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5b%2F1d%2F624fc92241d7b24df2ffb7e61fb5%2F1351750-fi-sneaker-buyer-coolkicks-jlc-0922-14153.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28895","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28895","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=28895"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28895\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/28896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=28895"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=28895"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=28895"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}