Cargo theft volume dips, values rise in third quarter

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Updated Nov 2, 2018
SensiGuard reports California and Texas had the highest cargo theft numbers in 2018’s third quarter. Across the U.S., cargo theft volume was down, while values were up.SensiGuard reports California and Texas had the highest cargo theft numbers in 2018’s third quarter. Across the U.S., cargo theft volume was down, while values were up.

Cargo theft recording firms CargoNet and SensiGuard each released this week their third-quarter 2018 cargo theft reports. Both firms reported a year-over-year decrease in theft volume with an increase in theft value.

SensiGuard recorded 157 thefts in 2018’s third quarter worth an average of $160,858 per loss event, an 11 percent decrease in volume and a 31 percent increase in value when compared to 2017’s third quarter. There were four thefts worth more than $1 million in the third quarter this year.

SensiGuard reports that electronics were the most-stolen cargo type in the third quarter, accounting for 20 percent of all thefts.SensiGuard reports that electronics were the most-stolen cargo type in the third quarter, accounting for 20 percent of all thefts.

Electronics thefts were most-targeted during the quarter, according to SensiGuard’s report, accounting for 20 percent of all thefts. Home and garden cargo was next on the list with 15 percent of all thefts, followed by food and drinks at 11 percent.

SensiGuard’s numbers show California once again ranked as the top state for cargo thefts, accounting for 20 percent of all thefts nationwide. This is a 14 percent decrease year-over-year for the state. Behind California were Texas (18 percent), Illinois (11 percent), Georgia (9 percent), and Florida (8 percent). Unsecured parking locations were most targeted by thieves, accounting for 83 percent of all thefts.

CargoNet’s numbers showed 188 cargo thefts in 2018’s third quarter worth an average of $143,949.CargoNet’s numbers showed 188 cargo thefts in 2018’s third quarter worth an average of $143,949.

CargoNet, during the same period, recorded 188 cargo thefts with an average value of $143,949. The firm also ranked California and Texas as the states with the most cargo thefts in the third quarter with 35 and 28 thefts, respectively. CargoNet notes that one of the top states historically for cargo thefts, New Jersey, saw a 73 percent drop year-over-year.

The firm’s records show that food and drink were the most-stolen items in the quarter with 45 thefts, followed by household products and electronics.

CargoNet reports warehouse thefts were most common in the quarter with 19 percent of thefts, followed by thefts at truck stops at 18 percent. Contrary to SensiGuard’s numbers, CargoNet shows that parking lot thefts decreases significantly from 40 thefts in 2017’s third quarter to 26 thefts in 2018’s third quarter.