A live sneaker sale turned into a real-life police drama when Adeel Shams, the owner of the popular sneaker reseller Cool Kicks, was arrested on camera during a live stream. The Los Angeles Police Department conducted a surprise raid on the business, leading to Shams’ arrest on felony charges related to receiving stolen property.
The Live Stream Interruption
The incident occurred on Thursday, October 3, 2025, while Adeel Shams was hosting a live auction on the WhatNot platform from his Santa Monica location. Viewers watched as the event was suddenly interrupted. Shams was heard exclaiming, “What the f*** was that?” before speculating that he might be the target of a “swatting” prank. The stream was abruptly ended, but not before the beginning of the police intervention was captured for his online audience. Images from the raid quickly began circulating on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter).
Official Charges and Company Response
Law enforcement officials confirmed that Adeel Shams, 33, was arrested around 4:45 PM and was booked on a felony charge of “Receiving Known Stolen Property over $950.00“. He was released by the early hours of the following day. His first court appearance is scheduled for October 23, 2025, at the Los Angeles Superior Court.
In response to the arrest, a representative for CoolKicks issued a detailed statement. The company expressed that the news of the investigation “came as a complete shock to our entire team.”
The statement clarified a key point about the allegations: “There have been no allegations whatsoever from law enforcement that any of the products were counterfeit. Coolkicks takes pride in serving our loyal community with authentic, high-quality products and service; it is at the heart of our culture.”
The company emphasized that it had purchased the impounded Nike sneakers in good faith within the last 48 hours and had no knowledge or reason to believe the merchandise was stolen. They finished by stating, “We are confident the truth will come out, and the trust we have worked so hard to earn will remain strong.”
Understanding the Police Division Involved
The raid was conducted by the LAPD’s Bunco/Forgery Division, a unit that specializes in investigating financial crimes, including fraud and counterfeit goods. While the specific charge against Shams involves stolen property, not counterfeit items, the involvement of this particular police division indicates a focus on complex commercial crimes. This detail initially led to widespread speculation on social media about the possibility of counterfeit product allegations, which the company has firmly denied.
Adeel Shams and the CoolKicks Brand
CoolKicks is a major player in the sneaker and streetwear resale market, well-known for its celebrity clientele and massive social media following. The company’s first store opened in Virginia in 2014, with Shams later expanding to a prominent location on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles in 2016. The brand has cultivated an influential presence, amassing over 4.5 million followers across social media platforms and billions of impressions on YouTube.
Adeel Shams has built CoolKicks into what his LinkedIn profile describes as a “multi-million dollar brick-and-mortar sneaker retail chain.” The company positions itself as an authentic and trusted hub for sneaker enthusiasts. According to some public estimates, Shams himself has an estimated net worth of around $9.5 million as of 2025.
This legal challenge comes at a significant time for the business, which is currently in the process of revamping its business model. The outcome of the case could have substantial implications for both the company and the wider sneaker resale industry.
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