Tribal Police Nab Suspects Following Thrilling 80-Mile Train Heist Pursuit

PEACH SPRINGS, Ariz. — Authorities have apprehended two suspects following an 80-mile car chase that culminated in a crash near the California border. The pair is currently held in the Mohave County Jail.

The Hualapai Tribal Police allege that these individuals, along with eight others who managed to escape in a different vehicle, are linked to a series of train burglaries. Investigations reveal a troubling trend in train-related thefts, with numerous incidents reported across the nation this year.

Thieves typically board trains and force them to stop. Court documents indicate they may disable the brakes or damage track infrastructure to halt a train unexpectedly. In a well-orchestrated operation, a “follow car” tracks the train’s location while cargo is unloaded and hidden nearby for later retrieval.

Law enforcement describes this operation as part of an organized crime network. Recently unsealed court documents point to a suspected ringleader tied to a long-established Sinaloa railway burglary ring responsible for orchestrating train heists for over a decade. Although this individual was arrested last June, along with 43 accomplices and a significant cache of drugs and stolen property, train thefts continue unabated.

The volume of train burglaries is staggering. The Association of American Railroads reported 64,000 incidents last year, with losses exceeding $100 million, considering both theft and damage. BNSF Railway has responded by advocating for a federal task force dedicated to combating cargo theft. A spokesperson emphasized the need for collaboration among various law enforcement agencies to tackle the rising crime trend, which they call critical due to its impact on essential goods, including medicine and food.