News Summary
Adeel Shams, founder of Coolkicks, was arrested by LAPD on felony charges related to stolen sneakers during a live stream. The incident unfolded at the Coolkicks storefront in Los Angeles, sparking a social media frenzy. After being booked on allegations of receiving stolen property, Shams has been released, with a court date set. Coolkicks denies any wrongdoing and continues to operate its popular online platforms amidst ongoing scrutiny.
Los Angeles, CA – Adeel Shams, the founder of Coolkicks, was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on felony charges related to stolen sneakers during a live stream on Whatnot on October 2, 2025. The LAPD’s Bunco task force, which handles financial crimes including fraud and counterfeit goods, conducted a raid on the Coolkicks storefront located on Melrose Avenue. The incident unfolded while Shams was streaming, creating a dramatic scene for viewers.
Shams was taken into custody at 4:45 PM PT and was booked on felony charges at 6:32 PM PT on the same day. He faces allegations of receiving stolen property valued at over $950. Following his arrest, Shams was released from custody at midnight on October 3, 2025, and a court date has been scheduled for October 23, 2025. The LAPD had previously impounded a small selection of Nike sneakers from the Coolkicks store 48 hours before Shams’s arrest, asserting that the items were allegedly stolen. Importantly, law enforcement has not made any allegations regarding counterfeit products being sold by Coolkicks.
In response to the unfolding situation, Coolkicks issued a statement on October 4, 2025, expressing its shock over the accusations. The company emphasized that it had purchased the sneakers in good faith and that neither leadership nor staff had prior knowledge that the items were stolen. Despite the legal issues, Coolkicks continues to market its products vigorously through its popular YouTube channel, which boasts nearly 2 million subscribers, and remains active on platforms like Whatnot.
Details of the Raid
The LAPD’s raid also extended to a warehouse located on Stewart Street in Santa Monica, where Coolkicks conducts some of its operations. In the aftermath of the arrest, accusations surfaced on social media claiming that items purchased from Coolkicks via Whatnot were not authentic. However, these allegations have yet to be substantiated. Coolkicks reiterated its dedication to integrity, high-quality products, and customer service in an official statement on Instagram.
Background on Coolkicks
Coolkicks was founded in 2014 in Virginia by Shams and his friends, and it expanded to Los Angeles, establishing its Melrose Avenue store in 2016. The business has gained a national reputation among sneaker collectors and celebrities, largely due to its innovative use of social media for promotions. However, the sneaker resale market has encountered difficulties recently, with several stores facing legal and financial challenges, marking a turbulent period for the industry.
Despite the recent controversies surrounding Adeel Shams and Coolkicks, the business continues its operations, selling sneakers and clothing online. As this story develops, the sneaker community and consumers alike will be watching closely for more updates regarding the legal proceedings and the fate of this popular sneaker retailer.
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Additional Resources
- ABC7 News
- People
- KTLA
- Sole Retriever
- Times of India
- Wikipedia: Sneaker Reselling
- Google Search: Coolkicks
- Google Scholar: Coolkicks
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sneaker Market
- Google News: Adeel Shams
Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
