About 185 cargo thefts were reported in the U.S. in March, April and May, according to data in a report released this week by FreightWatch International.
In the rolling three months prior — February-April — a FreightWatch report said 176 thefts were reported. The monthly numbers for March and April have been upwardly revised, however, caused by a delay in reporting of thefts. The new numbers show 18 more thefts reported in March and April than reported last month, which would bring the total for February-April to 194.
In the March-May timeframe covered in FreightWatch’s current report, average loss value per incident was $156,408 — a 9 percent drop from the prior three-month period, December-February. Compared to the same period, there were 16 percent fewer thefts reported.
Food/drink loads remained the most stolen, comprising 27 percent of the thefts with 50 stolen loads reported. Food/drink loads primarily include meats, seafood, drinks and prepared foods, FreightWatch’s report says. Pharmaceutical loads were No. 2, with 21 thefts making up 11 percent of the total. Stolen loads included prescription drugs, vitamin supplements and medical supplies, the report says.
Electronics constituted 10 percent of the total with 19 thefts. Television, computers and computer accessories were primary targets.
California, Texas, Florida, Illinois and Georgia remained the top 5 states by occurrence, making up close to 70 percent of all thefts reported. California alone accounted for more than a quarter of the thefts with 49.
Unsecured parking accounted for 103 thefts, 75 percent. Facility thefts made up 16 percent with 21 thefts. Twelve thefts came in secured parking areas. One theft was in-transit.
True to usual trends, 126 thefts (68 percent) involved trailer theft. Deceptive pickup thefts increased from 16 to 18 thefts compared to December-February, accounting for 10 percent of thefts.
