A prominent entrepreneur in the sneaker and apparel retail sector was detained last week after law enforcement officers reported uncovering thousands of stolen Nike products in a bust in Southern California.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers carried out a search warrant on Thursday at the CoolKicks facility located in Santa Monica, collaborating with multiple law enforcement agencies.
Authorities allegedly retrieved over 2,100 pairs of Nike footwear and 150 cartons of Nike clothing, amounting to an estimated $500,000 in value.
Adeel Shams, aged 34, who established CoolKicks, was taken into custody at the location and was charged with suspicion of possessing stolen property.
He has since been released from police custody as per jail records.
In a statement posted on social media, CoolKicks expressed that the revelation regarding the purchased stolen items was a “total shock” for the company.
“We engaged in this transaction in good faith, as we consistently do—dedicated to operating an honest enterprise founded on integrity and trust,” the statement affirmed.
The organization also clarified that no indications have surfaced suggesting that the products were counterfeit.
The raid took place while CoolKicks was broadcasting an auction live on the WhatNot platform.
During the unexpected incident, Shams, who was appearing on camera, appeared bewildered and inquired whether he might have been a target of a swatting prank.
Shams is set to appear in court later this month.
The investigation into the matter is still ongoing.
