News Summary
The LAPD conducted a raid on CoolKicks, a popular sneaker retailer in Santa Monica, due to allegations of purchasing stolen Nike shoes. CEO Adeel Shams was arrested and charged with felony receiving of stolen property valued over $950, alongside three other detainees. The operation raises ethical concerns in the sneaker resale market as CoolKicks insists they acted in good faith, emphasizing no indication of counterfeit products. As the court date approaches for Shams, the case is drawing significant attention from sneaker collectors and the broader industry.
Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) conducted a raid on the warehouse of CoolKicks, a well-known sneaker retailer, on October 2, following allegations that the store was involved in purchasing stolen Nike shoes. The operation occurred on the 1700 block of Stewart Street in Santa Monica, leading to the detention of employees and the seizure of dozens of sneakers.
The CEO of CoolKicks, Adeel Shams, was arrested during the raid and now faces a felony charge for allegedly receiving known stolen property valued at over $950. He has since been released but is scheduled for a court appearance on October 23. Additionally, three other individuals were taken into custody during the police operation.
According to LAPD officials, the raid was carried out after evidence suggested that CoolKicks was knowingly purchasing stolen merchandise. Employees were interrogated regarding the origin of the seized Nike sneakers, as the company is popular among sneaker enthusiasts and frequently frequented by celebrities, influencers, and professional athletes.
CoolKicks operates two locations in Los Angeles, with a flagship store located on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District. The brand, which was founded in 2014 by Shams and classmate Bereket Abraham at Virginia Commonwealth University, originated as a buy-sell-trade sneaker shop. Shams moved to Los Angeles just three days after graduation to open the flagship store that has since gained prominence in the sneaker resale market.
As the sneaker resale market evolves into a collectibles industry, with platforms like StockX, GOAT, and Flight Club allowing shoes to trade like assets, the operation has raised concerns about the ethical sourcing of merchandise. Rami Almordaah, CoolKicks’ chief authenticator, is known for his skills in evaluating, buying, and selling rare sneakers. He has achieved notable fame on social media, garnering over 2 million followers on TikTok.
In response to the raid, CoolKicks issued a statement on Instagram, expressing shock at the news and asserting that the company had no reason to believe that the seized sneakers were stolen. They emphasized their commitment to running an honest business and stated that their transactions were entered into in good faith. Importantly, law enforcement has not indicated that any of the seized sneakers are counterfeit.
The investigation into CoolKicks reflects a broader scrutiny of the sneaker resale market, where concerns about stolen merchandise and authenticity continue to arise. The ongoing popularity of sneaker collecting places additional pressure on retailers to ensure that their products are sourced ethically and legally.
As the court date approaches for Shams, stakeholders in the sneaker industry, including collectors and retailers, will likely keep a close watch on the outcomes of this case and its implications for the larger sneaker resale community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Coolkicks Founder Arrested for Stolen Sneakers During Live Stream
Additional Resources
- ABC7 News
- Los Angeles Times
- KTLA News
- People
- TMZ
- Wikipedia: Sneaker Reselling
- Google Search: CoolKicks
- Google Scholar: Sneaker Resale Market
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sneakers
- Google News: CoolKicks Raid
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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
