CargoNet’s map of areas with the most cargo thefts in the second quarter.CargoNet reported this week that thieves stole more than $19.5 million of freight in the second quarter. The security firm released a report on second quarter cargo theft data this week.
According to CargoNet’s report, the number of thefts increased 8 percent in the second quarter of 2015 from the same period last year. The total estimated value of stolen cargo was up $8 million year-over-year.
April had the most recorded cargo thefts in the U.S. with 70. May had 67 reported thefts, and June had 57.
California had the most thefts with 36, followed by Texas with 35 and Florida with 27.
Twenty-nine percent of cargo thefts occurred at truck stops and parking lots, CargoNet’s report says. Nine percent were classified as fictitious or fraudulent cargo pickups, and 2 percent were violent, either hijackings or armed robberies.
Food and beverage items were the most stolen commodity in the second quarter. Loads of nuts and alcoholic beverages were among the most targeted items. Household items were the second-most stolen commodity.
Theft of electronics ranked third, but were the most valuable of the stolen load types, the report shows.
The average cargo theft incident was worth approximately $168,308 in stolen goods, but some categories such as electronics were higher. The median theft was worth $338,464.
FreightWatch International, who also monitors cargo theft activity, reported a drop in second quarter theft instances and value in the second quarter. Click here to see CCJ’s coverage of that report.
