Crime in Chicago: Stolen goods for sale on social media after thieves looted a freight train in South Austin, residents say

CHICAGO (WLS) – As authorities continue to investigate a rail freight theft that occurred in broad daylight Friday afternoon on the city’s west side, residents said they saw some of the stolen goods being offered for sale.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

At least six people were arrested for stealing items from the freight train, Union Pacific officials said.

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ABC7 spoke to people who lived near the scene in South Austin and said they had already seen some of the stolen goods for sale on the street and on social media.

Chicago police are still searching for possible suspects responsible for the theft of hundreds of boxes of merchandise from a freight train that officers arrived in the 400 block of North Lamon Avenue just before 4 p.m. Friday.

Chopper 7 captured dozens of people searching the Union Pacific railroad near Lake and Lockwood and got away with what appeared to be boxes of televisions.

A woman who lives nearby, who did not want to be named, said she was shocked at how much goods were stolen.

“I’m a little disheartened that something like this is happening in our neighborhood,” she said. “I understand that people need to make money, but this is not the right way.”

The resident told ABC7 she had already seen people in the area selling the stolen goods.

The situation comes as Illinois Senator Dick Durbin helped pass a federal law last year that now forces retailers and websites like Facebook to regulate the sale of stolen goods online. Otherwise, these companies could face fines of up to $50,000.

The Illinois Merchant Association says brazen crimes like this impact the entire community.

“There is a myth that there is insurance for this. There’s no insurance for that,” said Rob Karr, president of the Illinois Merchant Association. “We are all victims of retail crime… because there is no sales tax collected on each item stolen… that means sales tax is not available to fund the resources we all rely on.”

As police and railway authorities continue to investigate the recurring thefts, residents hope changes can be made to prevent such thefts in the future.

“I would really like it if the trains…if they had to stop…there was a guard or they would just keep going until there is a stop where no one can get on the tracks,” the anonymous resident said. “That would be helpful.”

Authorities have urged the public to report suspicious online sales of goods.