Coolkicks, a well-known sneaker store in Los Angeles is under investigation. According to PEOPLE, police raided the Melrose Avenue shop in the Fairfax District and detained four people, including the CEO and owner, Adeel Shams.
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Coolkicks Owner Reportedly Arrested After Store Raid — Here’s What We Know
KTLA reports that officers with the Commercial Crimes Division searched Coolkicks’ Santa Monica warehouse. On Thursday, Oct. 2., police reportedly detained four people, including owner Adeel Shams, and booked him on a felony charge for allegedly receiving counterfeit items worth more than $950. Authorities also seized dozens of Nike sneakers during the bust. At the time, Shams was live-streaming an online sneaker auction when police walked in. A Reddit video shows him looking surprised and assuming it was just a “swatting” prank — a scheme where people send emergency responders to a location under false pretenses. But this time, it wasn’t a joke. Officers cuffed Shams and three others on the spot.
Coolkicks Breaks Silence Following Police Raid
One day after the police raid, Coolkicks dropped an official statement on Instagram. The store claimed that officers allegedly never accused them of selling fake merchandise. They also emphasized that authorities only took a small number of Nike sneakers that they reportedly believed were stolen.
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“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 statement read.
Additionally, the sneaker shop assured consumers that they make authenticity their top priority. “Coolkicks takes pride in serving our loyal community with authentic, high-quality products and service; it is at the heart of our culture. We want to reassure our community that the integrity of our products remains our highest priority.”
What’s Next For Coolkicks & CEO Adeel Shams?
PEOPLE states that authorities have reportedly released Adeel Shams after his arrest. An alleged booking record from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department shows that he must appear in court on October 23. Coolkicks LA has not confirmed whether its Melrose shop remains open, but the sneaker store has continued posting on its Instagram Stories since the incident.
