Truck Drivers Can Anticipate Increased Cargo Theft Attempts During Holidays

Although the holiday season tends to be joyous for many, truck drivers are more frequently targeted by hijackers and other cargo thieves.

Criminal activities typically begin to rise during the week of Thanksgiving and run hot all the way through New Year’s Day. Cargo thieves reportedly struck upwards of 137 times on the turkey-eating holiday during the last five years. What may be even more concerning for OTR truckers is data indicating 2020 skewed the average higher after 40 cargo thefts occurred. The average shipment reportedly exceeds $125,000, with primary targets including electronics, alcoholic beverages, and major appliances. These rank among the most expensive thefts during the winter months.

• $3,000,000 theft of networking equipment from Dinuba, California
• $599,559 theft of footwear from Long Beach, California
• $507,105 theft of tequila from Tampa, Florida
• $417,000 theft of footwear from Portland, Oregon
• $400,000 theft of mattresses from Columbia, Maryland

Many attribute the uptick in Thanksgiving incidents to the popularity of Black Friday sales. The states with the highest number of thefts typically involve California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, and Georgia.

An analysis conducted by CargoNet points to increased criminal activity across the Southeast and Atlantic Coast. Items such as alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals, firearms, ammunition, designer apparel, metals, and tires have been involved in full-load thefts. Organized crime rings have been particularly active around the Port of Savannah.

“It is important to point out these thefts are occurring near the port — mainly in carrier drop yards and not inside the port. Their method of operation has generally focused on imported refrigerated goods, such as shrimp and other types of shellfish,” CargoNet vice president Keith Lewis reportedly said regarding the Port of Savannah.

Lewis also went on the record indicating tracking numbers could be considerably lower than the number of actual cargo thefts.

“One of the challenges is that the carriers (insiders) are often involved in the theft, and the carrier does not file a police report. This results in untimely delays and incomplete information such as the theft location, which is a key component of the investigation and paramount for the recovery efforts,” Lewis reportedly said. “When and if a report is filed, it becomes extremely difficult to investigate and obtain law enforcement support. Having the theft location provides an opportunity to identify the appropriate reporting agency.”

It’s also essential for truckers to remain on high alert well beyond the Black Friday consumer goods sales. CargoNet conducted a separate study that demonstrated the period between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2 saw a spike in crimes against truckers. A recorded 177 thefts occurred from 2015 to 2019, with Dec. 27 and Jan. 1 ranked as the days with the highest number of incidents.

The average load was valued at more than $152,000, and widespread incidents occurred across 25 states, Canadian provinces. However, the highest concentration of truckload thievery transpired in California and Texas. Truckers are advised to remain vigilant through the holiday season.

Sources: ccjdigital.com, ajot.com