Cargo theft numbers rise in second quarter year-over-year, firm reports

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Updated Aug 9, 2018
SensiGuard reports cargo theft volume and values were up year-over-year in 2018’s second quarter.SensiGuard reports cargo theft volume and values were up year-over-year in 2018’s second quarter.

Cargo theft volume and average values increased year-over-year in the second quarter of 2018, according to a report released this week by cargo theft recording firm SensiGuard.

The firm recorded 144 cargo theft incidents during the quarter with an average loss value of $178,273 – an 8 percent increase in volume and 28 percent increase in value when compared to the second quarter of 2017. By contrast, CargoNet reported last month that cargo thefts were down 4 percent in the second quarter.

California, Florida and Texas were home to the most cargo thefts in 2018’s second quarter.California, Florida and Texas were home to the most cargo thefts in 2018’s second quarter.

According to SensiGuard’s report, building and industrial materials were the most-stolen in the quarter, accounting for 17 percent of the total, followed by electronics at 16 percent. With building and industrial materials, lumber was targeted most, followed by building supplies.

California ranked as the top state for cargo thefts, according to the firm, recording 29 percent of all thefts. Florida came in second, recording 19 percent of total thefts, followed by Texas with 16 percent.

SensiGuard’s data shows theft of full truckload was the most prevalent method used by thieves, accounting for 76 percent of all thefts in the quarter.