Cargo theft numbers down but loss values up slightly for 2Q 2019

There were fewer reported cargo thefts from April to June in United States than for the previous quarter, but the average loss-value of each load was up slightly, according to industry reports.

A total of 144 cargo thefts were reported during the quarter, with an average loss value of $118,496, according to the latest quarterly report published by SensiGuard. Those figures represent a 1% decrease in theft incidents and a 2% increase in loss values compared to the previous quarter. The figures represent a 1% decrease in volume and a 34% decrease in value compared to the same time period in 2018.

The SensiGuard Supply Chain Intelligence Center has issued its report on cargo theft incidents in the U.S. for the second quarter of 2019. The company publishes quarterly reports in addition to an annual report on cargo theft. The report notes that delays in incident reporting typically cause measurable increases in theft volumes in the weeks following the quarterly reports, and totals from the most recent quarter are expected to rise.

The report states that food and drinks were the most commonly stolen loads, accounting for 27% of the total. Between 2010 and 2016, food and drinks was the most commonly stolen load. Home and garden, miscellaneous, electronics and auto parts rounded out the top five.

California reported the most cargo thefts during the quarter, accounting for 21% of all theft incidents. That state and Florida, Texas, Illinois and Tennessee comprise the top five.

Thefts of full truckloads were the most-reported event type, accounting for 60% of all incidents. Pilferage incidents were reported in 35% of theft incidents. The report notes that incidents of pilferage have risen 13% over the previous quarter, and fifth consecutive quarter overall.

“Organized thieves have discovered that they can continue to hone their targeting methods and increase the profit gained from each intelligence gathering pilferage event they perform, which can inform attempts on full truckload thefts,” the report states.