Welcome to Arrest Stories. The founder of a popular Los Angeles sneaker store was arrested live on camera during an online auction stream when police raided his warehouse over allegedly stolen Nike merchandise. Here's what may have happened.
On October second, thirty-three-year-old Adeel Shams was conducting his regular livestream sale on the platform Whatnot from his CoolKicks warehouse on Stewart Street in Santa Monica when everything went wrong. At approximately four forty-five in the afternoon, loud noises interrupted the broadcast, prompting a confused Shams to ask viewers, "What the f*** was that?"
Initially believing the commotion might be a swatting prank, Shams abruptly ended the livestream as officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's Bunco and Forgery Division stormed the facility. The dramatic arrest unfolded in real-time before thousands of viewers who had been watching the sneaker auction.
The raid targeted CoolKicks, a well-known sneaker boutique on Melrose Avenue that attracts famous streamers and athletes. Police impounded what they described as a small allotment of Nike sneakers, alleging the merchandise was stolen property.
Shams was booked at six thirty-two that evening on felony charges but was released the following day, October third, on his own recognizance pending trial. No bail was set for his release.
In response to the arrest, CoolKicks issued a lengthy statement defending their business practices. "Yesterday, the LAPD impounded a small allotment of Nike sneakers that Coolkicks purchased and received within the last forty-eight hours, alleging that the merchandise was stolen. This news came as a complete shock to our entire team," the company stated.
The business emphasized their innocence, declaring "Neither Coolkicks leadership, nor our staff, had any knowledge or reason to believe that these products were stolen. We entered into this purchase in good faith, as we always have, committed to running an honest business built on integrity and trust."
The company also clarified that "there have been no allegations whatsoever from law enforcement that any of the products were counterfeit."
Following the arrest, Whatnot suspended CoolKicks' account the morning after the incident.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.