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Cargo theft violence steps up
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Report looks at cargo theft in third quarter.
Cargo theft continues to threaten carriers across the nation, including those in Houston, and the criminals are demonstrating they will use violent and life-threatening measures in the process, according to a 2009 third quarter report supplied by the Supply Chain Information Sharing and Analysis Centers.
"Seven robberies were reported for the quarter, with six identified on streets/highway locations and one at a truck stop," according to the nationwide report compiled and issued by LoJack Supply Chain Integrity. "Protocols for the safety and security of vehicles, cargo and drivers should be re-evaluated by organizations based on this disturbing trend."
The report noted that thieves have not been deterred from stealing vehicles and cargo even if they are surrounded by fences and surveillance systems. In addition, the criminals seem to be using hi-tech to accomplish their crimes, including laptops and surveillance equipment to survey and document fortified facilities and yards.
The report also pointed out that timeliness in reporting the crime to law enforcement agencies and supply chain stakeholders increases the likelihood of both vehicles and cargo being recovered within the same state.
At the same time, there was a small glimmer of improvement for the Texas situation. "The reporting of cargo theft incidents significantly increased in the third Quarter of 2009 (for all reported), altering the recent trend of Texas holding the dubious distinction of the most reported cargo theft incidents in the country," the report stated. "For the third quarter, California takes the top spot of cargo theft activity with 64 reported incidents, Texas moves to the second spot of most reported incidents with 30."
A total of 31 states in the contiguous United States have now reported at least one disruption to the supply chain during 2009, illustrating the widespread nature of cargo theft activity.
Thieves apparently like taking property from carrier facilities and truck stops--"which leaves the question of whether vehicles and loads are being targeted by thieves or stolen solely because of convenience," according to the report. Items and vehicles are also taken from other parking lots, and streets and highways. Warehouses and store locations are vulnerable, as well.
As for the choice of timing, weekends remain the most vulnerable for standing vehicles and freight. "An uptick in activity is shown for both Tuesdays and Thursdays, compared to the past quarters, but may be due in part to extended time that freight is left unattended because of the Independence (Saturday) and Labor Day (Monday) holidays falling within the quarter," the report stated.
What are thieves taking: food, consumer electronics, clothing and accessories, automotive, drugs and medical and computers and peripherals. The statistics also indicated an increase in stolen tractors and empty trailers. "An increase in the theft of tractors and empty trailers may play a bigger role in the theft of cargo, as goods are transferred from one stolen vehicle to another," the report stated. "This activity suggests that a group of criminals must be involved to perpetrate such an undertaking rather than a lone thief who can drive off with a rig or hook up to an unattended trailer. The transference of
goods also indicates thieves are well aware of vehicle tracking technology and the possibility of covert GPS devices embedded in the load, thereby causing trailer changes to occur closer to the offense location."
Despite the data, the report added that the current levels of reported incidents may no represent the "true magnitude by state of where cargo theft is actually occurring. While we greatly appreciate the inclusion of data from the California Highway Patrol as well the continually shared information obtained from public and private industry sources in Texas and Georgia, we recognize that this may skew the perspective of theft activity in any given state. The only way to rectify this shortcoming is to make an ongoing request for cargo theft information from law enforcement and stakeholders of the supply chain, allowing for a clearer representation of the depth and scope of the problem by state."
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