Two recent large cargo thefts were thwarted and over $670,000 merchandise recovered.
Overhaul Risk and Advisory Service, a freight security and risk management company based in Texas said it was able to track and recover the expensive shipments.
On evening of Oct. 28, Overhaul said it detected unusual telematics from a shipment, prompting an immediate incident response. Overhaul’s LE Connect team worked closely with the Fontana, California Police Department, providing real-time updates that enabled the police to quickly locate and recover the stolen trailer. The shipment of $242,000 in high-end consumer electronics was recovered fully intact.
After initiating the incident response, the shipment began deviating away from the intended delivery, back towards Southern California, accordingto Overhaul. The shipment made a stop at a TA Truck Stop, where officers were dispatched to search for the tractor trailer.
Overhaul said police quickly located the trailer, but despite an exhaustive search, no driver was found with the load. This method of operation closely resembles that of a recent theft attempt, suggesting a possible increase in this specific theft pattern, according to Overhaul.
Further investigation into driver and the carrier is underway.
As a result of this theft, Overhaul recommends that shippers of targeted and high demand or high value products be extremely thorough in vetting brokers and carriers in their network.
Shippers should document all drivers, tractors, and trailers that arrive to pick up cargo with thorough pictures that include all identifying markings on the tractor/trailer, as well as the driver and their CDL. It is important to verify that the information being documented matches the information provided prior to the driver’s arrival, said Overhaul.
In the other incident, Overhaul was alerted to suspicious activity after the driver of a shipment carrying $432,000 worth of electronics ceased communication. Police recovered the trailer at a Pilot Truck Stop with a replaced padlock in the early morning hours. The shipment was recovered intact, though the driver was not found with the tractor trailer.
Afterwards, the driver of the shipment claimed their truck needed emergency repairs and would be resuming route the following morning. When the shipment failed to resume its route, both the driver and carrier ceased communications.
The next afternoon, data indicated that the cargo was on the move. Police were alerted to the movement, and the Shelbyville, Indiana Police Department and Indiana State Police located the trailer at a Pilot Truck Stop. Responding officers noted that the original bolt seal on the shipment had been replaced with a padlock.
Overhaul obtained a search warrant for the trailer, and upon execution they confirmed the load was intact. Despite multiple attempts, officers were unable to locate the driver who remains unresponsive. The trailer and its contents were secured by law enforcement.
Overhaul recommends that shippers of targeted and high demand or high value products be extremely thorough in vetting brokers and carriers in their network.
