Skip to Content
Los Angeles

Thieves in NELA Are Stealing From the Passing Freight Trains Meant to Ease L.A. Port Congestion 

[dropcap size=big]I[/dropcap]t’s beginning to look a lot like an early Christmas for thieves in Northeast Los Angeles.

NBC shows neighborhood train tracks near Lincoln Park littered with “thousands” of upturned, opened, and tossed boxes this morning, the aftermath of widespread theft of packages and cargo traveling north from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The loot reportedly either fell off or was thrown from, Union Pacific cargo trains enlisted to help ease the backlog of unopened shipping containers that has stymied workflow at the ports over the last few weeks.

This display of wanton gaffling shows numerous freight cars that were broken into, including a FedEx container, moving with their doors wide open doors while traversing homeless encampments lining the tracks. The footage even shows a pair of burglars in action, brandishing bolt cutters and hopping on and off of trains, as a lookout whistles to them from beyond a fence, alerting them to the fact they’re getting a closeup from the news channel’s whirlybirds.

Seventy-seven ships currently still remain offshore, anchored in wait for their cargo to be unloaded and conveyed by trucking companies to distribution warehouses, both of which are slammed and running behind in their efforts. The logjam has created numerous issues for Wilmington residents whose streets have been used as ad hoc storage for containers, as well as businesses and individuals waiting for their supplies and imported plastic crap to arrive on time. Not to mention the rise of particulate matter from the ships and the unhealthful air quality that they have contributed to in Long Beach communities close to the port.

Though Union Pacific has its own certified police force of “special agents” to deal with crimes along its 54,116 miles of railroad, it is yet to comment on NBC’s expose of the thefts. The agency’s roots lie in the infamous Pinkerton national detective agency formed to protect U.S. industrialists and their interests in the 19th century. The spillage and pillaging (or spillaging) has not created any notable delays for Metrolink's commuter service, which shares these same tracks.

So, if you’re wondering where the supply of scarce Gabby’s Dollhouses, CocoMelon dolls, and Lego Infinity Gauntlets you’re trying to track down for your youngster’s holidays happen to be right now, you may want to gun your one-horse open sleigh over to the black market to begin the search.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Six Musical Legends You Forgot Are From South L.A.

While the world may be familiar with the South Los Angeles roots of Dr. Dre, Serena Williams, Kendrick, and Flo-Jo, numerous musical legends people forget come from the city's heart. That’s why L.A. TACO is here to remind you of some musical legends from South L.A. 

May 16, 2025

‘Deportation Set Me Free:’ Deported Influencer Is Building Community and Thriving In Mexico

"I view the U.S. as a golden cage with many of our immigrant brothers and sisters trapped inside a system out of fear of the unknown in their home countries," says Anni Garcia, an influencer who has been documenting herself thriving in Jalisco.  

May 16, 2025

This SELA Taquería Cooks Its Tacos Straight In The Fire…

This weekend, we're also pointing you, loyal L.A. TACO members, to pho brisket tacos, a secret Beirut sandwich spot, and a new noodle shop in Venice from a winner of The Great Food Truck Race.

May 16, 2025

The People of Los Angeles Can Finally Go Back to Therapy

If you are one of the 4.9 million Kaiser Permanente members in Southern California who have been unable to see your regular therapist since mental health workers began striking in October 2024, the good news is that the strike is finally over.

May 15, 2025

A Running List of Mom N’ Pop Businesses In Danger Of Closing That Need Community Support Right Now

It feels like almost every other month, we hear about a business closing its doors or attempting to stay open. To help these businesses stay open rather than report on them once they’ve closed, we created this ongoing list of restaurants and businesses in Los Angeles that need the most support. Did we miss any? Let us know which ones also need love in the comments.

May 15, 2025
See all posts