Illinois Man Arrested After $250K in Stolen Freight Train Goods Recovered
PALOS HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS — A 20-year-old man from Palos Heights has been charged after police recovered more than $250,000 worth of stolen merchandise tied to a string of freight train burglaries across the Chicago area.
Investigation Into Freight Train Thefts
Authorities identified the suspect as Almahdi Qasem, who turned himself in Friday. He faces one count of felony theft over $100,000 but less than $500,000, with additional charges expected as the investigation continues.
The probe began when Sitka, a high-end outdoor apparel company, reported that nearly 100 pairs of boots valued at $40,000 had been stolen from a Chicago freight shipment. Detectives later found identical boots being sold on Facebook Marketplace and eBay, tracing the sales back to Qasem’s Palos Heights address.
Undercover Buys Lead to Breakthrough
Investigators conducted undercover purchases from Qasem, acquiring Sitka boots along with stolen Nike children’s shoes and Puma gym shoes. All were confirmed to have been taken from freight shipments.
On July 16, police executed search warrants at Qasem’s Palos Heights home and a Bridgeview storage unit. Inside, they uncovered the missing boots along with merchandise from Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bissell, Skytech Gaming, and other retailers.
Authorities also seized vehicles, cash, and bank accounts allegedly connected to the theft operation.
Next Steps in the Case
The investigation remains ongoing with assistance from the Cook County Sheriff’s Community Response Team. Qasem was cited and released pending a court appearance at the Bridgeview Courthouse.
Officials say additional arrests and charges could follow as they continue to track the flow of stolen goods.
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