Another Thanksgiving week tradition: Increased number of cargo thefts

Keep an eye on your cargo this week. Thanksgiving week over the last three years has seen thefts of $6 million in cargo, 44 trucks and 51 trailers, according to crime analytics group CargoNet.

Data shows that 59 percent of the thefts occurred in Texas, California, Florida, Georgia and New Jersey. Texas saw the most cargo theft out of all the states.

All recorded truck stop thefts took place in the eastern half of the United States. Food and beverage cargo was the most targeted commodity followed by metals. Nonalcoholic beverages and meat products were the most stolen in the food and beverage category; copper was the most stolen metal. 

Thanksgiving weekend experiences an increased target period for electronics, clothing and shoes, home and garden products, and food and drinks. FreightWatch International, a supply chain intelligence center, released additional data Nov. 19 showing 12 reported cargo theft incidents during the Thanksgiving weekend alone with over $930,000 in losses.

CargoNet listed noteworthy thefts from previous Thanksgiving holidays:

  • $2,100,000 theft of apparel and accessories from a parking lot in Carson, Calif.
  • $537,000 theft of fragrances from a stop in Yemassee, S.C.
  • $447,000 theft of footwear from Houston, Texas
  • $441,000 theft of apparel and accessories from a truck stop in Staunton, Va.
  • $227,000 theft of televisions from a truck stop in Glendale, Ky. 

FreightWatch listed additional notable thefts from previous Thanksgiving weekends:

  • Full truckload theft of $560,000 in cosmetics in North Carolina in 2014
  • Facility theft of $648,000 of alcohol in Washington in 2013
  • Full truckload theft of $250,000 of seafood in New Jersey in 2013
  • Full truckload theft of $540,000 of Copper in Illinois in 2012
  • Full truckload theft of $200,000 of electronics in California in 2012