CoolKicks issues first statement after LAPD's arrest of Adeel Shams and warehouse raid rocks sneaker world

CoolKicks founder Adeel Shams was reportedly arrested for a brief period after the Los Angeles Police Department raided the warehouse. The arrest was live streamed thus became a subject of online interest. A video from CoolKicks’ live stream on Whatnot abruptly cut off during a raid.

The Los Angeles Police said that Adeel Shams, 33, was booked on Thursday, October 2, on felony charges related to alleged fraud. The LAPD's Bunco/Forgery Division led the arrest, official booking records confirm.

According to reports, the arrest took place around 4:45 pm local time and the booking was logged at 6:32pm the same evening. Jail records indicate no bail was set, and he was released early on Friday, Oct. 3 on own recognizance (OR) pending trial.


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Adeel Shams' was arrested?

The LAPD has yet to release an official statement detailing the case, though the participation of the BUNCO/Forgery Division indicates the investigation is focused on alleged fraudulent activities connected to CoolKicks’ operations.

Reports also suggest that police conducted a raid on a CoolKicks warehouse, but information about any seized items or evidence remains unclear. Unverified videos have circulated claiming that officers held Adeel Shams and his employees at gunpoint before taking them into custody.

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Who is Adeel Shams?

Adeel Shams founded CoolKicks, a well-known sneaker re-sale brand. Shams is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Shams studied at both the School of Business and the VCU Brandcenter. His passion for sneakers began early, buying used pairs—like Jordans—restoring them, and reselling them, which eventually evolved into a full-fledged business.

Along with friends, Shams launched CoolKicks in 2014 in Richmond, Virginia, while still attending VCU. The brand quickly expanded, relocating to Los Angeles and opening its iconic Melrose storefront in 2016.

CoolKicks has issued a statement after its founder Adeel Shams was arrested on a live stream when the Los Angeles Police Department apparently raided its store. “Yesterday, the LAPD impounded a small allotment of Nike sneakers that Coolkicks purchased and received within the last 48 hours, alleging that the merchandise was stolen. This news came as a complete shock to our entire team," CoolKicks said in a statement to Hindustan Times.

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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 company, however, clarified that there have been no allegations 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. We want to reassure our community that the integrity of our products remains our highest priority,” the company added. “We are confident the truth will come out, and the trust we have worked so hard to earn will remain strong.” According to CEO Outlook Global, Adeel Shams has an estimated net worth of $9.5 million as of 2025.

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