Cargo Theft On The Rise

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity for cargo thieves, with third-quarter thefts increasing each month year-over-year, according to data from CargoNet.

The Verisk Analytics-owned data firm, which tracks cargo thefts, found that combined, there were 319 reported cargo thefts in Q3 this year, compared to 259 in Q3 2019. September saw a 26.92% increase year-over-year.

CargoNet found a similar theme in Q2 as well. Thefts in Q2 increased 371 in 2020, with a 91.43% year-over-year increase in April alone, compared to 257 in 2019.

Scott Cornell, Transportation Lead and Crime and Theft Specialist for Travelers Inland Marine and Transportation, told FreightWaves that cargo thieves are focused.

“Cargo thieves are going to steal what they can sell,” he said. “In that sense, cargo thieves have tunnel vision.”