Â鶹APP

Moving Train of rail tracks. Photo By David Mark –

10 Things To Know About The Recent California Train Robberies

California has been the subject of public discourse in the US after rampant train robberies rocked the state. So rampant have the cases been, that it dedicated millions of dollars to proposals by the local law enforcement aimed at increasing surveillance of tracks and bolstering the criminal justice system to process arrested offenders.

Despite security measures that were already in place, the rampant theft and ingenuity of the robbers have overpowered the police force. Recent reports have indicated the proliferation of train robberies has amounted to losses worth more than $5 million. Organized crimes have warranted attention and response from law enforcement.

1. California Is The Crime Scene For The Ongoing And One Of History’s Most Infamous Train Robberies

Union Pacific diesel locomotive livery on May 10, 1991. Photo By Slambo –

The Los Angeles railroad company, Union Pacific is no stranger to controversy surrounding train robberies and theft.  It was among the earliest victims of the crime, recording robberies as early as 1899.

In 1899, legendary Butch Cassidy and his crew robbed a Union Pacific engine as it made its way through Wyoming. The train was stopped in typical old-school heist fashion and the gang blew up the safe on the train.

Read about the 20 most famous train robberies in the U.S.

2. Cases of Train Robberies Have Double Within Los Angeles, California  

Since 2020, train robberies in Los Angeles, California have increased by 160%. Union Pacific was on the spotlight for these cases falling victim innumerable times.

The robberies seemed to be in tandem with increased freight transportation. It came to the attention of the authorities that the cases spiked in the days leading up to and during holidays. This was attributed to the influx in festive season orders.

3. The California Train Robberies Target Stationery Coaches

On the list of impossible things to do, robbing a moving train should be one of them. Moving trains have proven a daunting task for criminal gang members not because of tight security but also the actual act of stopping a moving train.

 Bandits have however found a loophole during the transfer of goods from truck to trains. At the rail yard, bandits get the opportunity to steal when security isn’t uptight.

One of the yards with notorious criminals is the Lincoln Heights yard. Its proximity to the Los Angeles port makes it an important supply chain and logistics link. Consequently, it has become a frequent target of attacks by bandits.

See interesting facts about Los Angeles on this Discover Walk Article. 

4. The Recent California Train Robberies Have Brought Conflict Within Different Law Enforcement Bodies

Dr. Martens Stall in Vaughan Mills Photo By Ryansonho –

Given the fact that the relevant authorities always seem to be blindsided by the attacks, investigations done into the robberies have left numerous unanswered questions. It also begs the question who exactly is to be blamed for the increase in the crime rate?

In one of the train robberies in Los Angeles, shipments containing goods from popular stalls The Harbor Freight Tools, Dr. Martens, and other smaller copies were found along the Union Pacific Corp rails. The heist saw local officials, police, and railway officers pointing fingers at each other on who bore the responsibility for the hefty losses.

5. The Heists Have Resulted In Over A $5 Million Loss At Union Pacific

The train company, Union Pacific has been in the spotlight being a direct victim of the attacks. The company which is valued with a market capitalization of 155 billion US dollars has lost over 5 million dollars due to train robberies and exclusive of the losses that have been tallied by customers who have suffered losses.

The increased losses also stem from the efforts put towards establishing a more secure railway transport system.

6. The Recent California Train Robberies Have Led To The Enforcement Of Stricter Security Measures

Police Officer – Photo By Andrew Martin –

 Given the rise in train robbery cases, numerous companies have been forced to take austerity measures to curb the vice. For instance, the Union Pacific company has employed over 200 policemen to man the tracks and yards. This is intended to reduce the frequency and magnitude of theft on railway tracks that have garnered nationwide attention.

7. The Recent California Train Robberies Are Now Being Undertaken By Large Criminal Syndicates

While historical robberies would be staged by lone actors or random gangs, modern ones have become bigger and more organized. Authorities and railway officials report that train robberies have graduated from small-scale to large organized crime.

Elaborate schemes and ready markets for stolen goods have increased the magnitude and skill expensed in committing the heists. The point of focus is now majorly medical equipment, powered tools, electronics, and other valuable goods and merchandise. This points to the large-scale commercialization of the vice.

Find out about the most famous gangsters of all time by clicking on this link. 

8. Residents Of California Blame The Government For The Increase In Train Robberies

Criminal Under arrest. Photo By Berthold Bronisz –

Some residents of California blame the government for the lax regulations and lenient punishment for offenders. Criminals arrested for trespassing on trains and in train yards are regarded as petty offenders.

The criminal justice system charges petty offenders with fines and limited sentences in low-level correctional facilities. This creates less incentive for the railway company to deliver criminals to the justice system.

In the cases reported by Union Pacifica, only 50% of the suspects have been acquitted. The authorities claim that there was insufficient evidence and a lack of allegations for the dropped cases. The number of reported cases has significantly had since then.

9. Losses Made By The Train Robberies Have Caused The Retrenchment Of Several Company Employees  

Companies such as Union Pacific have downsized their operations owing to losses from recent train robberies. This is despite the company contributing to 90% of the arrest made on the previous crimes committed.

As a result of this, the company, which now has few officers manning greater areas, has had an increase in train theft cases.  

10. The Recent California Train Robberies Have Made Companies Vigilant In Matters Of Security Measures

Rail companies have made plans to increase their private police force after restructuring. This is aimed at deterring would-be perpetrators in areas that are identified as being the most vulnerable. Other companies have added drones to their security infrastructure. These are intended to increase surveillance and trace thieves to establish their movement and hideouts.

To learn about most historic train robberies, read this article.