Chicago Freight Train Heist: Man Arrested with Stolen TV, Cargo Theft on the Rise

Chicago Suburb Sees Freight Train Heist: Police Arrest Man with Stolen TV A brazen cargo theft occurred on October 11, 2024, in the western suburbs of Chicago, targeting a Union Pacific freight train. Dozens of boxes, many containing Ninja kitchen appliances, were found scattered along the train tracks, the remnants of a successful heist. The incident is part of a concerning rise in cargo theft in Illinois, according to experts. Police body camera footage, obtained by ABC7 Chicago, shows the arrest of a man found in his front yard with a brand-new 55-inch flat-screen TV, allegedly stolen from the train. The man told investigators he purchased the TV for $75, unknowingly from one of the thieves. "Do you want to go to jail?" an officer is heard asking the man in the video. Keith Lewis, Vice President of Verisk Cargonet, a company tracking cargo theft, commented on the increasing problem. He stated that these crimes are on the rise, with nearly 200 cargo thefts reported in Illinois alone last year. He highlighted the vulnerability of boxcars and the need for improved security measures. The investigation into the Belwood heist is ongoing, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by freight rail operators and the need for enhanced security protocols to combat the growing problem of cargo theft.