Thieves have targeted freight trains running through the deserts of California and Arizona in a string of audacious heists resulting in the theft of more than $2 million worth of new Nike sneakers, in 10 heists targeting BNSF trains in remote areas of the Mojave Desert since last March

Eleven people were charged in the Jan. 13 burglary with possessing or receiving goods stolen from interstate shipment. All 11 have pleaded not guilty and were all ordered detained until trial. Ten are Mexicans who were in the United States illegally. Another defendant is a Mexican citizen who was in asylum proceedings in the United States, authorities said in court records.

The suspects in the Jan. 13 heist were caught with the help of tracking devices that were inside some of the boxes, the complaint says.

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