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Breaking News: Gun Thefts From Railroad Yards Are Apparently Still A Major Issue

All companies experience some kind of theft on a regular basis but when the thefts happen to be items that cause ill effects in the community one would think an investigation in the issue would become top priority.  Why the railroad industry has not been more diligent with their investigations of thefts in the rail yards is a mystery to us.  There has to be some kind of “leak” in the company because the rail cars are not physically advertising what’s in them, so that means someone that works for the company is sharing the manifest and getting kickbacks from the thefts.  How else would anyone know which railcar to steal from if they didn’t know what was in it.

Read more as reported by CBS:

Breaking News: Gun Thefts From Railroad Yards Are Apparently Still A Major Issue

Photo Credit: CBS News Screenshot

Chicago Ald. Pat Dowell was so concerned about rail yard gun heists that last year she wanted to hold a public hearing to question railway representatives.

But she tells the 2 Investigators the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and rail yard giant Norfolk Southern “strongly encouraged” her not to go public for fear she would expose serious security deficiencies.

Dowell held off. Now, it’s happened again.

In the latest incident, a half-dozen semi-automatic rifles and 27 handguns were reportedly stolen from a rail car near 77th and Avalon, the 2 Investigators have confirmed.

“There’s no city like Chicago where every major railroad comes together,” says Joseph Schwieterman, a transportation expert and DePaul University professor. “You have dozens of interfaces – that means small yards spread around town that creates some of these vulnerabilities.”

In May 2014, 13 Smith & Wesson rifles were stolen from a freight car near 63rd and State.

In April 2015, more than 100 firearms were lifted from a rail car. Within weeks of that heist a number of the weapons were used in “unrelated incidents throughout the city of Chicago,” according to court filings.

“The perpetrator has the incentive to get rid of the merchandise as soon as possible because it’s traceable, and that means cash is paid, there in the neighborhoods,” Schwieterman says.

The most recent rail yard theft occurred Sept. 18th. It was reported to Chicago Police 11 days later — for unknown reasons. No weapons have been recovered. The suspects remain at large.

The railroad, Norfolk Southern, says the “security of our trains and infrastructure is a top priority.”

An ATF spokesman says authorities are still investigating the September theft. He adds the ATF has had success in recovering guns taken in previous thefts and arresting some of those responsible.

Source: CBS

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