Rail

Police Arrest Suspect After Recovering $54K in Stolen Hot Wheels From BNSF Train

Authorities in Colton, California arrested one suspect and recovered approximately $54,000 in Hot Wheels merchandise following a freight train burglary. Officers responded Thursday to reports of suspicious activity near railroad tracks on Maple Street. A black Chevrolet Silverado leaving the area was stopped, and police took the driver into custody. The investigation yielded 350 boxes of toy cars. Officers discovered an open Maersk shipping container and additional merchandise along nearby railroad tracks. Mattel was identified as the cargo owner, with BNSF Railway taking possession of the recovered property. The suspect was booked into West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of burglary, grand theft and possession of stolen property. The cargo theft reflects a broader pattern of rail thefts in Southern California. Recent cases include a $150,000 New Balance shoe recovery in August and a $1 million merchandise discovery in Whittier in October.