Images show sea of stolen packages and debris after thieves raid LA trains

USA TODAY
·2 min read

Dozens of packages were stolen out of cargo containers in downtown Los Angeles, leaving the train track cluttered with shredded boxed, UPS packages and debris.

In a video taken from CBSLA freelancer John Schreiber, the train tracks are covered under a sea of trash, epi pens, COVID-19 tests and more. The scene was not a one-time event, thieves have been raiding cargo containers in the area for months.

While CBSLA cameras were on the scene, one person was spotted running off with a container used to hold small packages, and a Union Pacific railroad police officer was spotted pursuing two other people who were apparently going through packages.

A similar scene occurred in November, when NBC4's cameras caught thousands of boxes discarded along the tracks lined with homeless encampments northeast of downtown in the Lincoln Park area.

Passing trains carried containers with doors wide open and packages tumbling out, NBC4 reported. Video showed two men, one holding what looked like bolt cutters, walking along the tracks, the station said.

Union Pacific said in a statement to CBSLA that the company is concerned about the theft and taking measures to prevent it.

“We have increased the number of Union Pacific special agents on patrol, and we have utilized and explored additional technologies to help us combat this criminal activity. We also will continue to work with our local law enforcement partners and elected leaders,” the railroad said.

Contributed: Associated Press

Follow Gabriela Miranda on Twitter: @itsgabbymiranda

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thieves steal from cargo trains in LA leaving tracks cluttered