A pair of stolen runDisney shoes listed on eBay led Los Angeles police to about $1 million in stolen train cargo hidden inside a Chatsworth store. Detectives arrested the store’s owner after finding 35 pallets of shoes and backpacks taken from BNSF Railroad trains.
How the Shoes Cracked the Case
The investigation began when detectives spotted stolen Brooks shoes from a runDisney collaboration for sale on eBay. Detectives made a controlled purchase of the shoes, and the sale led them to a business called DesignerDeals4Less. On October 21, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Cargo Theft Task Force served a search warrant at the Chatsworth store.
Inside, investigators found 35 pallets of stolen BNSF cargo worth an estimated $1 million. The haul included shoes from Brooks, Hoka, New Balance, Adidas, On and Salomon, along with JanSport backpacks. Police said the owner admitted to buying the stolen merchandise from illegitimate distributors of the brands. Police said officers arrested the owner, a 51-year-old Simi Valley man, on suspicion of receiving stolen property.
Why runDisney Shoes Stand Out
Brooks releases limited-edition runDisney collections for major race weekends at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The 2026 Springtime Surprise lineup featured Genie, Winnie the Pooh, Chip ’n’ Dale and Mickey Mouse designs costing $165 to $185. The shoes debut at runDisney Health & Fitness Expos, and online access requires a Brooks Run Club membership. Popular sizes often sell out quickly.
Part of a Bigger Crackdown
Several agencies joined LAPD on the case, including BNSF Police, Union Pacific Railroad Police and Homeland Security Investigations. Investigators also recovered about $1 million in stolen rail cargo from a Whittier shoe store on September 30. Police say this investigation remains ongoing. Police have not accused Disney or Brooks of any wrongdoing, and the shoes came from stolen train cargo.
To keep up to date on all the latest runDisney news and more, be sure to follow Disney Dorks on Facebook!