LA Sneaker Boutique Co-Owner Charged in $2 Million Nike Theft Ring
A federal investigation has led to charges against 12 individuals, including Bereket Abraham, co-founder of the Los Angeles sneaker shop Coolkicks, and Jorge Cuellar, a social media personality. They are accused of orchestrating a theft ring that stole $2 million worth of Nike shoes from the company's North American Logistics Center in Memphis, Tennessee. The group allegedly operated from July 2021 to June 2024, using fraudulent shipping labels to reroute coveted Nike products to various locations for resale. The operation involved six former Nike employees who facilitated the movement of stolen goods. Abraham and Cuellar reportedly paid over $900,000 for the stolen shoes, which were then sold online and through the Melrose Avenue shop. The suspects were arrested in June 2026 and face charges including conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property. 
