Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Truck Cargo Thefts on The Rise

The number of truck cargo thefts in the U.S. increased in the first quarter of the year but the average value of each heist declined, according to a new report from the logistics security services provider FreightWatch International.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
May 17, 2016
Truck Cargo Thefts on The Rise

In the first quarter of 2016, the FreightWatch International Supply Chain Intelligence Center recorded a total of 221 cargo thefts in the United States. During this time, 66 of these incidents occurred in January, 90 in February and 65 happened in March. Graphic: FWI

3 min to read


In the first quarter of 2016, the FreightWatch International Supply Chain Intelligence Center recorded a total of 221 cargo thefts in the United States. During this time, 66 of these incidents occurred in January, 90 in February and 65 happened in March. Graphic: FWI

The number of truck cargo thefts in the U.S. increased in the first quarter of the year but the average value of each heist declined, according to a new report from the logistics security services provider FreightWatch International.

It recorded a total of 221 cargo thefts, an increase of 13% from the fourth quarter of 2015 and up 8% compared to the first quarter of last year. However, the average loss value per incident fell to $112.467, down 13% from the previous quarter and a 56% decline from a year earlier.

Ad Loading...

The decline in the average loss value, according to FreightWatch, is likely due to it recording no theft valued at more than $1 million in this latest quarter, versus two in the final quarter of 2015 and seven in the first quarter of last year.

“It is becoming evident that thieves have learned to avoid risk by targeting lower value shipments that have less security procedures in place, and compensating for the decreasing value with an increasing theft volume,” FreightWatch said in the report.

Food and drinks continued to be the most stolen product type in the first quarter of the year, accounting for 20% of total thefts in the U.S. during this time. Products that were primarily targeted in this category include meats plus canned and dry goods, making up nearly half of these thefts. Thefts of home and garden products ranked as the second most stolen product type, as electronics dropped from its typical number two spot to sixth.

Ad Loading...

Clothing and shoes recorded the highest average value in this quarter with $388,125, 19% higher than the first quarter of 2015. Tobacco came in second at $183,333, an 83% increase over the previous quarter. Several other product types experienced increases in average value, such as auto and parts, building and industrial, metals and personal care.

“As the oil and gas industry continues to suffer its deepest downturn since the 1990s, profits and earnings continue to fall causing companies to decommission heavy construction vehicles resulting in a plethora of associated industrial equipment and supplies to stand idle and vulnerable to theft,” FreightWatch said.

It recorded a dramatic increase in the theft of building and industrial products by 222% from the fourth quarter of 2015 and by 263% from the first quarter of last year. FreightWatch also noted a correlation between geographical surges in stolen building supplies in states where the housing market continues to grow, most notably in Texas.

California ranked as the top state for cargo theft with 21% of total thefts, followed by Texas with 15% of heists. Florida ranked a close third with a 66% increase in thefts from the final quarter of 2015 followed by New Jersey at 13% and Georgia with 7% of thefts to round out the top five. Alabama made a notable appearance, ranking seventh with only 3% of total thefts but it experienced a 600% and 250% increase, from the 2015 fourth and first quarters, respectively, as 43% of its thefts were in the building and industrial category.

Full truckload incidents continued as the most prevalent method of theft during the first quarter of this year with 83% of all reported thefts. Pilferage, a theft type commonly used by organized cargo thieves and opportunistic criminals, accounted for 9% of total thefts. Fictitious pickups recorded 5% of thefts, a 48% decrease from the final quarter of 2015 but a 32% increase from the first quarter of last year 2015.

Ad Loading...

The most prevalent location for large-scale cargo thefts continued to be unsecured parking areas, identified in 89% of incidents in which a location type was declared. Thefts from warehouse/distribution center location types came in second with 6% of thefts and secured parking areas accounted for 5% of thefts.

The full report is on the FreightWatch International website

More Fleet Management

TEN disaster prep.
Fleet ManagementMay 1, 2026

How Fleets Can Avoid Equipment Blind Spots in Disaster Response

When the unexpected happens, how you react to, and deal with operational blind spots is critical. Here’s how to keep you recovery on track, when nothing is normal.

Read More →
Illustration of cybersecurity images with "The Cyber Stop" text
Fleet Managementby Ben WilkensApril 30, 2026

AI Security Risks for Trucking Fleets: What to Know About Deepfakes and Agentic AI

As fleets adopt artificial intelligence for routing, maintenance, and load matching, new security risks are emerging. Learn where the vulnerabilities are and how to put the right controls in place.

Read More →
Mobile tablet showing Motus screen against highway background with Motus logo

FMCSA’s Motus System Is Coming. What Fleets Need to Know Now

The long-awaited registration system promises a single portal — and tighter fraud controls.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
CargoNet 2026 Qi report.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 24, 2026

Cargo Theft Incidents Fall in Q1, but Organized Crime and Impersonation Drive New Risks

CargoNet reports fewer supply chain crime events to start 2026. But losses hold steady as organized crime shifts tactics toward impersonation schemes and high-value goods.

Read More →
Graphic with light bulbs, HDT Truck Fleet Innovators logo, and the word Nominations
Fleet ManagementApril 24, 2026

Nominations Open for HDT Truck Fleet Innovators 2026

Heavy Duty Trucking is searching for forward-looking leaders at trucking fleets as nominations for HDT’s Truck Fleet Innovators 2026. Deadline is May 15.

Read More →
Illustration with trojan horse and lock with inside of cargo container in background
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 23, 2026

New Trojan Driver Cargo Theft Scam Bypasses Carrier Vetting Systems

Cargo theft rings plant operatives as drivers inside legitimate, fully vetted carriers, then execute coordinated thefts that look like a traditional straight theft from the outside.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
ATA Truck Tonnage Index March 2026.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseApril 22, 2026

March Truck Tonnage Posts Strongest Annual Gain Since 2022

A modest sequential increase capped the strongest quarterly performance in years, signaling continued freight momentum in early 2026.

Read More →
Toll road.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsApril 22, 2026

Ohio Turnpike Targets $5.2 Million in Unpaid Tolls from Trucking Firms

More than 300 carriers across 26 states have been sent to collections as the Ohio Turnpike cracks down on toll evasion and delinquent payments.

Read More →
Illustration with ATRI logo and square blocks spelling out "research"
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeApril 20, 2026

'Beyond Compliance,' Regulations, Driver Coaching on ATRI’s 2026 Research List

The American Transportation Research Institute will examine driver coaching, regulatory impacts — including the "Beyond Compliance" concept —and weather disruptions that shape trucking operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Brian Antonellis, senior vice president, fleet operations, Fleet Advantage.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsApril 17, 2026

Fleet Advantage's Brian Antonellis on the Growing Need to Replace Old Trucks

Fleet Advantage's Brian Antonellis says it's time for fleets to get back to the fundamentals of good maintenance practices. And that includes replacing older, inefficient equipment.

Read More →