• Carriers should be aware of methods used by cargo thieves in order to implement the best cargo security and antitheft measures for shipments.

Cargo thefts are well-organized heists that use information, location, and opportunity to an advantage. Cargo thieves often target commercial vehicles as the vehicles leave a facility. And, of course, staged, unattended freight is always an easy steal.

Freight is stolen by all types of criminals including organized crime families, street gangs, lone professional thieves, and employees of motor carriers.

To identify preferred targets, criminals:

• Are very organized and often use an intelligence-gathering network; and
• May rely on insider information to learn routes and delivery schedules.

The techniques and methods used by cargo thieves have a direct correlation to cargo security and antitheft measures used by drivers and motor carriers.