Box Components Robbed of Drivetrain Samples

Oct 27, 2016 at 12:59
by Box Components  
** Update on Serial numbers:

The serial numbers of everything stolen:
- Rear Derailleur Serial Numbers: PP-DR160RR11-BK ending in 465 through to 965
- Shifters Serial Numbers: PP-SH16PPR11- BK ending in 1065 through to 1404


Box One Drivetrain

by boxcomponents
Views: 10,086    Faves: 11    Comments: 0


In what appears to be a highly organized and well thought out robbery, several individuals broke into Box Component’s warehouse at approximately 1:00AM PST and stole various goods estimated to be worth in excess of $100,000. Among the items taken include the bulk of the company’s pre-production samples for the Box One Drivetrain. Surveillance camera footage obtained from a neighboring business shows as many as five individuals using two vehicles during the course of the robbery. The perpetrators managed to gain entry by cutting a hole through the warehouse door and spent up to an hour inside the building while committing the crime. The building was secured with an active alarm system but the thieves were able to avoid detection due to a faulty sensor.

Box Components Robbed of Drivetrain Samples
Box Components Robbed of Drivetrain Samples

Box Components Robbed of Drivetrain Samples
Box Components Robbed of Drivetrain Samples

Box Components Robbed of Drivetrain Samples

Box Components Robbed of Drivetrain Samples

The list of items taken includes the following:

Box Components Robbed of Drivetrain Samples

Box Components Robbed of Drivetrain Samples

Box One PushPush Shifters
Box One Rear Derailleurs
Box Two Cassettes
Box Vector Mini Cranks
Box Bike Stands

Box Components President Toby Henderson remarked the timing of the robbery was highly suspicious, given the recent arrival of the company’s drivetrain samples and the selective nature of the goods stolen.

Box Components is asking the cycling community to spread the word and please report any suspicious activity regarding any of the items listed above to the proper authorities. Please share any information that may lead to the apprehension and arrest of the perpetrators immediately with the Anaheim Police Department at 714.765.1900.

For more information, please contact:

Box Components
888 279-9691
1580 North Orangethorpe Way
Anaheim, CA 92801
info@cyclegroupinc.com
www.boxcomponents.com

MENTIONS: @boxcomponents


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Member since Feb 20, 2016
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166 Comments
  • 393 2
 I guess it shows how desperate some people are to run something besides SRAM/Shimano.
  • 85 16
 Or maybe this is an inside job, b/c things weren't looking good for Box Components.
  • 48 5
 @abzillah: agreed, someone with inside knowlege of security, inventory levels, hours of operation,ect
  • 29 22
 This is great publicity somehow....
  • 145 6
 I've seen their prices. This was probably only one complete gruppo.
  • 91 2
 Sram/Shimano joint undercover heist mission to eliminate the competition.
  • 28 5
 F@ck Sram cut it out will ya!!! Fox had their inverted fork stolen in similar manner a while back, as Shimano don't make suspension I'm putting this one on Sram, dirty tactics for sure...


But seriously, no internal cctv, faulty sensor and all those boxes look the same but they managed to walk out with each box containing different gear... Totally an inside job, maybe the company needed an insurance payout to get things rolling for them, after all, insurers will have to pay out on RRP
  • 22 0
 Who would take up to an hour robbing a place, unless they knew that "somehow" the alarm wasn't going to be triggered?
  • 12 0
 @jarrod801: A manufacturing company with parts they manufacture inside that is closed at night, that's some serious intel.
  • 2 0
 so what ever happened to the stolen Fox truck with the titanium prototypes in them?
  • 3 0
 @abzillah:

I definitely decided to get an XT shifter/RD after seeing the box final price and poor at best reviews
  • 3 2
 That lot is probably for sale in Mexico
  • 3 2
 @enrico650: Viva la Mexico!
  • 1 0
 @abzillah: How exactly were "things not looking good for Box Components"?
  • 2 9
flag TheBikeNurse (Oct 29, 2016 at 11:59) (Below Threshold)
 @grandmastere: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Yer an idiot.
  • 1 0
 @excavator666: who take an hour unless they new what they were looking for and where everything was.
  • 129 1
 The Shimano Mafia strikes again. Probably with ninjas.
  • 12 1
 Considering it is only a 30 minute drive. Also highly suspect that they had a faulty sensor.
  • 80 2
 SRAM was the second shooter on the grassy knoll!
  • 8 2
 @scmalex: HA! trying to keep the eagle on top by stealing inventory!
  • 16 1
 ninjas would never be caught on surveillance - maybe the Yakuza
  • 22 10
 For the record, I wouldn't count Italians out...
  • 23 7
 @WAKIdesigns: they were invited, but drank too much wine, and stayed home
  • 2 4
 @Grmasterd:


what about Yakuza Ninjas?
  • 4 2
 I'm wondering where @waki is with his very detailed sketches of this SRAM/Shimano heist stunt on box
  • 4 1
 @WAKIdesigns: for the "record" hmm...
  • 6 3
 @hampsteadbandit: these were Jacuzzi Ninjas a.k.a. Legionella Pneumophila
  • 6 0
 @WAKIdesigns: at 1am PST most Italians are having a capuccino it is 10am here. They cannot be involved.
  • 8 1
 @giopk70: no Italian male would have milk in his coffee after 8AM... Pinkbike! Get his IP adress, this is the man that will lead us to perpetrators! Get him! Get hiiiiim!
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: you wouldn't believe how many. We have at least 4million state employed Italians who absolutely need cappuccino and cornetto at 10. While they are supposed to be working...
  • 2 1
 Shimano shot Kennedy. I told ya so
  • 1 0
 Di2 robot mafia ninjas
  • 103 1
 That's Terrible! Box should immediately make plans to change to the anodizing color of their components, replace any samples that are out there with the media and then make it clear that any black Box components are stolen and those with them summarily executed on the spot. (more or less).
  • 91 0
 #boxgotrobbed
  • 65 0
 I think campagnolo may be re-entering the mtn bike drivetrain market soon...
  • 67 5
 This is horrible and the comments are unwarranted at best. The ESC has partnered with Box for several years, the past two years they brought the BOX Showdown Series, for racers that competed in DH and Enduro at the same event, to our series. I use their Carbon Bars, stems, grips seatpost clamps and just last week received the Box derailleur, shifter and cassette. The shifter was super easy to get used to and shifted as many at 8 gears in a single push. That was a real advantage on the enduro tracks we were testing on. The derailleur worked flawlessly. Box is solid in the BMX world and has been slowly entering the MTB area with really great products. Toby and the rest of the folks at Box have been super supportive and really great to work with. I hope they catch the culprits and that this isn't too big of a setback for Box.
  • 22 0
 Props for @Eastern-States-Cup for the standing up for the little guy! We've been working conversing with BOX for weeks & just acquired in being an authorized retailer. We experienced nothing but impeccable customer service with each phone call & email. If their products are as good as the internal customer service, then we're ALL golden!
  • 2 12
flag Theeeeo (Oct 28, 2016 at 7:18) (Below Threshold)
 what BMX world are you talking about hah
  • 6 1
 @Theeeeo: Bmx racing
  • 3 6
 @samsq: makes sense lmao
  • 48 0
 chain reaction cycles gonna have crazy deals on new box stuff
  • 42 0
 I don't get the gain here. Unless they plan to sell these person-to-person slowly, it will be rather obvious if 100k in Box parts shows up here on pinkbike next week. Are you trying to clone the parts? Or trying to put Box out of business? I just don't see what the point is here for the thieves.
  • 52 1
 dont wanna be the conspiracy guy but the only way this makes sense to me is some sort of corporate spionage thing.
  • 25 3
 @fercho25: Too easy. Suddenly Shimano has a push push derailer and nobodys the wiser? I'm worried Box is in worse shape than we think and faking a robbery to give themselves more time. I hope this isn't the case, but I don't see some employee or local MTB bro stealing them to sell, it would be too obvious.
  • 3 0
 @ClaytonMarkin

Put them in a container, ship them off to europe. Done.
  • 15 1
 @hoolydooly: more like china.
  • 4 1
 @fercho25: exactly...big corps do what they gotta to stay big
  • 19 1
 Although corporate espionage is a valid idea, a more likely situation would be insurance fraud. As noted, it was very targeted, the timing of the robbery was suspicious, and there "just happened" to be a faulty sensor. It has been seen before, and 100K is a substantial chunk of money.
  • 4 0
 @fercho25: China will only need one each of the samples to make 5 container loads of 5 different price level duplicates from $10 to $1k a groupset.
  • 5 1
 @nicanorcal: yep!!
Insurance job
  • 5 0
 @fercho25: it's pronounced gina! Haha
  • 1 0
 @hoolydooly: More bargains from online suppliers I guess!
  • 1 1
 thieves that break into houses at night tend to be not the cleverest folks... the clever ones go into banking....
  • 40 4
 SRAM must have NX'ed it. Shimano driving the getaway cars to make a clean XT.
  • 31 2
 Sounds like an inside job. Somebody knew there was a dead motion sensor or a blind spot in the sensors. Cutting the door would also bypass any contact switch on the door.
  • 27 2
 You folks rally over complicate things. In a warehouse district there are hundreds of workers for dozens of companies. Super simple. Habitual felon/thief is out of jail, works in the area, sees a big shipment hit the dock of a company with basic security and knows from being in jail previously how to get in.
Tells buddies. Shows up. Cuts hole in door. Takes whatever looks most expensive. Probably think they got some high end automotive stuff they could sell to a chop shop.

Thieves in a van broke into my she'd, stole my tools from nice to dirt cheap crap. They left $8k in bicycles untouched
  • 12 1
 The most rational comment so far.....I'll keep descending into the quagmire in hopes of finding another...
  • 25 2
 This is horribly suspicious. A company takes years of time and effort to stand on the highest tier of drivetrain components and right before they can hit the market... BOOM significant percent of inventory is taken in the night. I really hope they can recover from this fast. A wonderful concept and company.
  • 2 0
 they should be able to track it down eventually. there are only a few out there. the drivechain is amazing too! i love mine for the time ive had it.
  • 5 0
 Yea I agree, it does sound quite suspicious! I hope there is a happy ending to this one... I would like to see more drivetrain offerings from different companies.
  • 27 0
 Burglary, not robbery.
  • 1 0
 correct. Really terrible to hear this about their new product.
  • 18 2
 Looks like security needs to shift up a gear...
  • 12 1
 I think you're driving to the right train of thought there. Poor chain of events.
  • 10 0
 The Police need to think outside the box to solve this crime, with any luck they'll catch the culprits trying to shift the gear.
  • 19 3
 Complete Box drivetrain for sale! So cheap its a steal! (too soon?)
  • 11 1
 So much talk on inside jobs, ya ever figure maybe thieves are just not that forward thinking and don't realise that they can't sell these easily? I feel like it's worth giving this brand the benefit of the doubt. as this would be a lot more work than just delaying release.
  • 24 12
 Looks like Shimano or sram are using Hillary Clinton's campaign strategies...
  • 10 24
flag fattyheadshok (Oct 27, 2016 at 18:24) (Below Threshold)
 No that would be the Russian govt fully weaponizing wiki leaks and hacking into the DNC computers. Along with the other candidate encouraging them to do so. Nixon had to resign for hiring thugs to break into DNC HQ and steal campaign info. What's going on in this country right now is far worse. And what the hell does that have to do with the articlestopic anyway??
  • 7 0
 Holy crap I didn't know you guys were right down the street from me! Definitely keeping an eye out for you guys. If any of it is on CL or pinkbike, it'll be suspicious since it's so specific. Sorry to hear about this guys. I hope everything works out:/
  • 9 1
 your first sentence is suspiciously naive. ... .... hmmmmm.
  • 6 0
 @Theeeeo: ya got me
  • 9 2
 So this is the week of people being arse holes to the cycling industry? Gutted for the Box team, hopefully this doesn't set them back too much, I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a mech/shifter.
  • 6 1
 Toby has been an accomplished rider, sponsor, innovator and advocate in So Cal for a long time. Sorry man, I hope the investigation lands some loser(s) in jail and doesn't hurt your new enterprise. From an old Turnbull Canyon riding buddy.
  • 8 4
 when your derailleur has a major issue and you don't wanna go public with a recall so early in its life.....

No but seriously... is the price of aluminum really good in California or something?
  • 9 1
 Specialized
  • 7 4
 Tinfoil hat on here but... they probably dumped 100K into parts which aren't 'acceptable' enough to be sold based on some sort of manufacturing error, and in order to get out from underneath the parts, this happens. Capital for a new company is pretty tight I'm sure so it was either 'move' the parts or go broke... hopefully this company has a bit more thank 100K in their bank account to survive from startup to mature company.
  • 4 1
 It's not hard to bypass a motion sensor, particularly an old one. A narrow-beamed high power torch shined directly into the sensor will overwhelm it without triggering anything. If it was insurance fraud a better option would be a can of gas and a match. My money is on an honest, good old fashioned burglary.
  • 3 10
flag everythingscomingupmilhouse (Oct 28, 2016 at 2:41) (Below Threshold)
 Dude would you mind deleting at least bits of this post??

Bike thefts are happening every day in my city at the minute - I realise that info on how to bypass security systems in people's houses is readily available on the internet, especially for people that want to find it, but I kinda think it'd be a good idea not to openly explain how to do it! Here was me thinking my bike was safe in my house because of my motion sensor alarm, now I know even my bike ain't safe from a thief with a bright torch.... Hopefully no UK based thieves have read your post yet!
  • 7 0
 @blahblahbikes: I guess you have the bike attached with u-locks to something solid in your house, because even with a sensor alarm they could have enough time to take your bike.
  • 6 0
 @blahblahbikes: Nah, It's better that regular people know their security systems are insecure - the villains already do!

Remember the old saying: locks keep the honest people out.
  • 7 0
 sram/shimano co-op?
  • 2 0
 My thoughts exactly. Take out the competition just as they are about to start
  • 5 0
 Group of thugs bring boxes back to their mob boss who asks for "the stuff..." Thugs pull out a several rear derailleurs...
  • 4 0
 Dang! Our Ambush prototype was stolen right before Eurobike...full Box drivetrain.
  • 6 0
 "GrabthembytheBOX"
  • 2 1
 This is why we can't have nice things! I can't help but think this is some type of inside job for a group of scum to know where and what was in the building they broke into. I don't know much about Box components but I feel gutted for this company trying bring more options to the masses.
  • 4 3
 Sorry....but a faulty sensor? With today's level of technologically advanced security systems, this just seems like something that could have been avoided.

I work in commercial real estate and the level of "black box"-type security systems I've seen for goods of less value kind of makes me roll my eyes here.

Of course I'm gutted for box and their loss, but someone needs to lose their job over this.
  • 4 0
 Next month specialized will mysteriously come out with their own proprietary derailleur and cranks...
  • 2 0
 Someone who really hated that shifter design, what would our world look like if that same person had been as motivated to block 650b and 29" wheels... a lot simpler me thinks!
  • 6 0
 Norbs also got robbed.
  • 2 1
 I think Box was beginning to realize they couldnt reach a price point that would lure sram and shimano customers. So cash it in with an insurance claim and figure out a new product. Theres something very fishy going on here...
  • 2 0
 Clearly an inside job!! The hole in the door cut perfectly to fit those boxes out and a faulty sensor!! Clearly they knew the alarm didn't work before hand or why would the comfortably spend an hour in there?!?
  • 4 0
 Just go look in the Sram trailer for your stuff guys.
  • 1 1
 This sounds very suspicious! Someone within the company would have known of the faulty sensor, how much inventory was in stock, and how to cut a hole in the door to bypass the alarm. My guess is it was probably an inside job, but done in part with Shitmano or Sram to delay their parts from coming out on the market!!!! lol
  • 4 0
 Convenient Faulty Sensors
  • 3 0
 Bummer, time to stop posting new shipment arrivals on Instagram, etc.......
  • 1 1
 Who's idea was it to not swap out the faulty sensor for, well I don't know, a f*cking working one?

So these five guys role up in two vans, cut a hole through the door, steal over 100k worth of components, but only get away with it through what is apparently sheer 'dumb luck', because a sensor was faulty?

Hmmm.
  • 2 1
 That stinks my house was broken in to and had foiled one of a kind bikes stolen it was devastating couldn't ride for 3 months
  • 3 0
 Dumb. Hope you get your stuff back.
  • 3 0
 The same Toby Henderson from T.H.E.?
  • 3 0
 Among other things as well, yup! www.pinkbike.com/news/New-BOX-Components-Trigger-Shifter-Design-Could-be-Perfect-for-D.html
  • 2 0
 Yep we all had those moto-style fenders way back in the early 00s for a minute
  • 1 0
 @endlessblockades: fact
  • 2 0
 Noooo! my bike was stolen lastnight, too! Box, maybe we can be sad together.
  • 4 1
 Those pinion guys are pretty shifty!! I'll show myself the door.
  • 1 0
 Is this just a warehouse or was there also R&D or even production in that same building? If so 100k is not so much if they stole some of the equipment, too.
  • 3 0
 $100,000.00 in parts missing. So they got one drive kit.
  • 2 0
 Any idea on the plate numbers? I'll be driving out through San Pedro to St. George today.
  • 2 1
 good luck selling any of this. And if you are seen on the trail with a box derailuer. You will be branded as a thiefe. Thieves are not only heartless. Thieves are stupid!
  • 1 0
 Sounds like an inside job if not a pub' stunt.

Who the fvck steal rear clunkers for MTBs? Pre prod protos @ that? Who gonna buy 'em? Meh. :/
  • 4 1
 def a inside job.
  • 2 0
 yup I don't see anyone guessing where to cut a hole like that' and the sensor being fouled not to mention they got all the right goods or that a stranger wouldn't hang out in there for an hour.
  • 6 5
 "Box Components is asking the cycling community to spread the word..."
PR stunt?
  • 2 1
 I bet this is a combined effort between Shimano and SRAM to take out any competition.
  • 4 3
 We might see Chinese knock offs of Box components soon. Hope you guys recover soon.
  • 2 0
 It was the Cog Union.....
  • 4 1
 thats sad
  • 3 0
 Those are SRAM vans!
  • 7 9
 Box Agenda today: 9am Call insurance company, 10am Meet design department, tell them to design new components, and 'for god's sake keep it simple this time'. 11am Meet marketing, inform them to leak details of new Box design that retails at much lower prices, but really it's not a copy of a Shimano product, it really is different, honestly! 2pm Vow to never again design a product that is different just to be different and retails for a much higher price than the competition...who have been established for years...who have excellent products...who have excellent prices. 11pm, call the 'staff' who 'worked overtime' last night and thank them, and tell them 'not to forget to dump that box of stuff into the deep, deep ocean tonight'.
  • 3 0
 Probably in Mexico now.
  • 16 3
 the wall would have stopped them'
  • 3 2
 @WAKIdesigns: Too funny !!
  • 4 1
 @WAKIdesigns: The wall only works if you're leaving Mexico!
  • 5 1
 @OffshoreLA: so it's not a wall from US side, it's stairs?
  • 1 0
 Yes it would!
  • 9 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Nah its just got a door in it that only opens towards Mexico. They have written "push" on both sides. Problem solved.
  • 2 0
 So no license plate shots.....? No fingerprints?
  • 2 0
 there is a special place in hell for these kinds of people.......
  • 1 0
 Did kyle norbs work at this factory?? Because thats some serious robbery shit
  • 1 1
 Seems to be a shift in the crime rate lately. This chain of events is terrible for Box. They should gear up for the next planned hit.
  • 1 0
 Probably they were not Brazilians because if they were, there would be nothing.
  • 2 0
 I just have one thing to say: damn thieves!!!
  • 1 0
 Someone SRAM off with them, SHIMANO's who?? sorry
  • 1 0
 So that's why they're out of stock!
  • 3 2
 Shimano strikes again!!!! hahah
  • 2 0
 Angry ex employee?
  • 1 1
 They're just trying to distract you from the real news..... Like 911, it's an inside job!!!
  • 2 1
 Coming to eBay real soon. Buy one get one free
  • 1 0
 Shimano **cough**cough**SRAM **cough**cough**
  • 1 0
 check back next week for the boxing day sale!
  • 1 0
 Good job SRAM and Shimano
  • 1 0
 I guess that really derailed their plans
  • 1 0
 so murica
  • 8 7
 Publicity stunt.
  • 2 1
 !!!
  • 1 1
 Oh ya !
  • 1 1
 It was SRAM!!! ...or maybe Shimano!
  • 2 2
 Good looking components, too bad their site is out of stock.
  • 2 3
 "Thieves were seen by bystanders fleeing in a van baring the logo 'SRAN' or possibly 'SRAM'. Police are baffled."
  • 1 1
 Sram&Shimano= #illuminaticonfirmed
  • 1 0
 I smell fish!
  • 1 0
 cranks are on ebay
  • 1 1
 It's the Russians. Thanks WIKILEAKS.
  • 1 0
 Tell me other history
  • 1 0
 Insurance scam
  • 1 0
 inside job
  • 1 2
 Is it 1-st of April today?
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