Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Cargo Theft Drops, Average Value Around $189,000

Cargo thefts in the U.S. are on the decline, but the value of each heist is virtually unchanged compared to last year, according to a new second quarter report from the logistics security services provider FreightWatch International.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
August 3, 2015
Cargo Theft Drops, Average Value Around $189,000

The darkest areas indicate where cargo thefts happen the most. Graphic: FWI

2 min to read


The darkest areas indicate where cargo thefts happen the most. Graphic: FWI

Cargo thefts in the U.S. are on the decline, but the value of each heist is virtually unchanged compared to last year, according to a new second quarter report from the logistics security services provider FreightWatch International.

It recorded a total of 178 cargo thefts during the period, with 60 in April, 66 during May and 52 in June. The total number is 11% lower than during the first quarter of the year and 7% less than during the 2014 second quarter.

Ad Loading...

The average loss value per incident during this time was $189,307, a 27% drop from the first quarter of 2015, but less than a 1% increase from the same time last year.

The amount of thefts valued at over $1 million was zero during the period, while seven such incidents happened in the first quarter of this year and two during the second quarter of 2014.

Food and drinks continued to be the most stolen product type in second quarter, with 16% of total cargo thefts. The home and garden category joined electronics as the second most stolen product type, with each having 14% of the total.

Ad Loading...

Texas ranked as the top state for cargo theft, with 18% of total thefts in this quarter, an increase of 10% and 19% the first quarter of this year and the second quarter of 2014, respectively. California, with 17% of the total, came in second, while Florida was third after seeing a 37% drop in thefts from the first quarter of the year. Georgia, which saw thefts drop 27% from the first quarter of 2015, but recorded a 12% percent increase from a year earlier, had the fourth most thefts. New Jersey theft incidents fell by 60% to land in the fifth spot.

Incidents involving theft of full truckload continued to be the most common during the second quarter of the year with 83% of all reported thefts. Pilferage accounted for 8% of total thefts this quarter, a drop of 33% from the first quarter of this year. Fictitious pickup accounted for 5% of thefts, a 43% increase from the first quarter 2015. Facility theft recorded 3% of the theft total and had the highest average value of any theft type at $335,516.

The most prevalent location for large-scale cargo thefts continues to be unsecured parking, identified in 90% of reported incidents. Of these thefts, 29% occurred at public parking and another 23% from truck stops. Thefts from warehouse/distribution locations came in second with 6% of thefts and secured parking areas accounted for 3% of thefts this quarter.

More Fleet Management

Mobile tablet showing Motus screen against highway background with Motus logo

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

FMCSA's long-awaited registration system promises a single portal — and tighter fraud controls. And there are steps you need to take by May 14.

Read More →
Fleet Advantage Generative AI study.

Fleet Advantage: Fleets Embrace Generative AI, but Data Problems Limit Operational Gains

New Fleet Advantage research shows generative AI adoption has exploded among private fleets. But poor data integration and weak ROI tracking are preventing fleets from unlocking AI’s full operational and financial value.

Read More →
Phillips Connect extends Nussbaum trailer life.

How Phillips Connect Helped Nussbaum Transportation Double its Trailer Life

Seven years into deploying Phillips Connect’s smart trailer platform, Nussbaum Transportation has extended trailer life from 10 to 15 years.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Lance Evans, Director of Safety at K&B Transportation.

Inside Modern Fleet Safety: AI, Cameras & Speed Control at K&B Transportation

How a former commercial vehicle enforcement officer turned director of safety at K&B Transportation is embracing real-world safety technology.

Read More →
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 →
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 →