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
Read Evan's Posts
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.

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.

Ad Loading...

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.

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

Daimler-Class8 partnership.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 2, 2026

DTNA Partners with Class8 to Expand Digital Services for Freightliner Owner-Operators

A new partnership brings free wireless ELD service plus load optimization and dispatch planning tools to fourth- and fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia customers, with broader model availability planned through 2026.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Reducing Fleet Downtime with Advanced Diagnostics

This white paper examines how advanced commercial vehicle diagnostics can significantly reduce fleet downtime as heavy duty vehicles become more complex. It shows how Autel’s CV diagnostic tools enable in-house troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and faster repairs, helping fleets cut emissions-related downtime, reduce dealer dependence, and improve overall vehicle uptime and operating costs.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
Ad Loading...
M&A illustration with Werner and FirstFleet logos
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

Werner Expands Dedicated Fleet Nearly 50% With FirstFleet Acquisition

The $283 million acquisition of FirstFleet makes Werner the fifth-largest dedicated carrier and pushes more than half of its revenue into contract freight.

Read More →
Bobit Business Media B2X Rewards.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards Engagement Program

B2X Rewards is a new, gamified rewards program aimed at driving deeper engagement across BBM’s digital platforms, newsletters, events, and TheFleetSource.com.

Read More →
Trucking Trends series graphic
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

AI is Reshaping Trucking in 2026, from the Back Office to the Shop

Trucking’s biggest technology shifts in 2026 have one thing in common: artificial intelligence.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Column graphic illustration with Deborah Lockridge head shot and a small fleet truck in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 27, 2026

Why Small Trucking Fleets Are Still Standing [Commentary]

Why discipline, relationships, and focus have mattered more than size for smaller trucking fleets during the freight recession.

Read More →
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 23, 2026

Cargo Theft Is Surging. A Bill in Congress Could Help. [Video]

Cargo theft losses hit $725 million last year. In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Take video, Scott Cornell explains how a bill moving in Congress could bring federal tracking, enforcement, and prosecutions to help address the problem.

Read More →
CargoNet infographic showing 2025 cargo theft trends
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 22, 2026

Cargo Theft Losses Jump 60% in 2025 as Criminals Target Higher-Value Freight

Cargo theft activity across North America held relatively steady in 2025 — but the financial damage did not, as ever-more-sophisticated organized criminal groups shifted their cargo theft focus to higher-value shipments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Phillips Connect -- McLeod smart trailer TMS.
Fleet ManagementJanuary 22, 2026

Phillips Connect, McLeod Integrate Smart Trailer Data into TMS Workflows

A new partnership between Phillips Connect and McLeod allows fleets to view trailer health, location, and cargo status inside the same McLeod workflows used for planning, dispatch, and execution.

Read More →