Noel Fletcher
Arkansas and Tennessee lawmakers are enacting tougher sanctions against cargo thieves, while other states are eyeing bills that would establish task forces to harness resources to combat this burgeoning criminal activity.
Truckers in states throughout the nation are having freight stolen at a rate amounting to $18 million each day, according to the American Transportation Research Institute.
A May 14 report by Overhaul for the first quarter of this year put the daily rate of cargo theft at nearly seven per day.
Thefts of auto and parts loads rose most sharply, the report found, climbing 142% from Q4 2025 and 51% from a year earlier. Electronics remained the most common target, representing 17% of incidents, followed by food and drinks at 15%, with auto and parts and clothing and shoes at 11% each.
The report cited an increase in deceptive pickups in which cargo is stolen by criminals using fake identities, forged credentials and carrier impersonation to steal legitimate loads.
“The growth in deceptive pickup schemes tells us that organized networks are investing in fraud infrastructure, and when criminals are forging identities and impersonating carriers, a padlock on a trailer isn’t going to stop them. That’s a threat you have to monitor, verify and catch in real time,” said Barry Conlon, CEO and founder of Overhaul.
Thieves are focusing on California, with its key ports and intermodal hubs. Much of the nation’s stolen freight is linked to organized crime rings using sophisticated methods.
Some goods being shipped from California to other parts of the country are being stolen as the freight moves into Arizona.
California, Arizona Look at Task Forces
Legislators in California are considering Senate Bill 1019, which is moving through the committee process and sits in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
It would require the attorney general to establish a California Cargo Theft Task Force to combat cargo and freight crimes, such as theft, diversion, embezzlement, unlawful taking or fraudulent acquisition.
Task force members would investigate, apprehend and recommend for prosecution both individuals and organizations involved in cargo theft or related crimes.
Other responsibilities would include:
- Identifying trends and patterns of cargo theft to compile metrics and values of missing freight
- Coordinating with law enforcement agencies and industry stakeholders to gain a better understanding of the overall cargo theft situation within the state
- Recommending legislation and policy for criminal penalties, enforcement tools or interagency coordination to deter theft while protecting California’s economy
Similarly, Arizona has been considering Senate Bill 1452 for the state attorney general to establish a cargo theft task force similar to a successful ongoing retail task force.
Tony Bradley, president and CEO of the Arizona Trucking Association, testified before a state House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing in March to garner support. He told lawmakers cargo theft is a “very sophisticated international crime issue” that is taking place in Arizona, especially the “hot spot” of Kingman.
“In the last few years, I’ve received almost a call a month from members asking for help what to do. What has occurred is they’re often told just to call Crime Stop because they think we’re just trying to file insurance claims,” Bradley said. “We’re actually interested in getting the cargo back. … What’s important for our purposes is having a central location to call the AG’s office to coordinate with law enforcement to help all 15 counties fight this because it’s happening on all of our interstates.”
Arkansas Declares Cargo Theft Emergency
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders enacted legislation March 18 that took effect immediately. Act 322 declared the state under a cargo theft emergency. Lawmakers ushered in a change to an existing law adding up to 10 years in an enhanced penalty for cargo theft.
Lawmakers heard about one trucker-broker constituent who owns a business and had a cold storage truck filled with food that was stolen from a depot by an organized retail crime gang. The business owner had invested in security measures, vehicle trackers and truck driver identification measures, but the thieves overcame every obstacle.
When police found the truck at a cold storage warehouse, hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of food was gone.
The new law also stipulates that people convicted of theft with the criminal enhancement cannot earn early release credits but must serve the full sentence.
Under the emergency, the state’s General Assembly deemed theft of goods moving in commerce “a pervasive problem” in Arkansas that impacts businesses and consumers, requiring immediate deterrent measures to protect the state economy and preserve public peace, health and safety.
Tennessee Enacts Cargo Theft Laws
Pilferage was listed as the most common type of cargo theft in Tennessee, “indicating continued localized theft activity in key logistics hubs,” according to Overhaul. The state led in pilferage with a 37% share, followed by Texas (27%), Illinois (17%) and California (12%).
Most of the freight stolen in Tennessee during the first three months of this year was pharmaceuticals, electronics, and food and drinks.
Pilferage remained the most common method of cargo theft in Q1, accounting for 37% of all reported incidents, although it decreased compared with previous periods.
Gov. Bill Lee signed two cargo theft deterrent bills that became laws effective July 1. One expanded the criminal offense of organized retail crime to include knowingly using an online marketplace or social media platform to coordinate a meeting to sell, barter or trade stolen merchandise for monetary or other gain.
The other new law added a section to the penal code to criminalize entering a cargo container and removing merchandise, broadening the cargo theft legal definition. At the same time, it gives police and prosecutors clearer authority to pursue criminal charges, according to the Tennessee Trucking Association.
Donna England, TTA president and CEO, noted that cargo theft is a growing concern for members, who were grateful for legislative sponsors, especially Sen. Paul Bailey and Rep. Pat Marsh, who advocated for truckers.
“We recognize this legislation as an important first step, and we know additional efforts will be needed to fully combat cargo theft in the future,” England said.
Other States Exploring New Laws
As cargo theft remains a growing national problem, other states considering cargo theft legislation are Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey and South Carolina.
Cargo Theft Incidents in Pennsylvania
Copilot
Pennsylvania has experienced a significant rise in cargo theft, with the state now ranking among the top five most targeted in the U.S. for freight theft.
Statewide trends
According to the June 2025 Cargo Security Index, Pennsylvania saw a 22% increase in freight theft compared to the preceding weeks, overtaking Georgia for fifth place nationally. CargoNet’s 2025 data shows Pennsylvania’s share of U.S. cargo theft incidents is part of a broader national surge — the U.S. recorded 3,625 incidents in 2025 (up 27% from 2024), with Pennsylvania’s share concentrated in high-risk areas like Philadelphia and Southcentral PA
Philadelphia’s surge
Philadelphia is the hardest-hit city in the state. In 2023, the Eighth District alone recorded 180+ cargo theft cases, up from just over 40 in 2022. Thefts often target unattended loads near distribution centers, with losses in the millions of dollars. High-profile cases include thefts of $234,000 in dimes, $15,000 in tuna, and $30,000 in crab legs
Other PA hotspots
Southcentral Pennsylvania also saw major thefts — for example, 100,000 organic eggs worth $40,000 were stolen from a Greencastle distribution center
National context
The average value per Pennsylvania cargo theft incident is estimated at $202,000, with the typical haul exceeding that Nationally, cargo theft is costing the U.S. economy an estimated $15–35 billion annually when including unreported and indirect losses
Key takeaways
- Pennsylvania’s cargo theft rate is among the highest in the U.S., with Philadelphia and Southcentral PA as major hotspots.
- Incidents are rising sharply, with organized theft methods becoming more common.
- Losses are substantial, and risks persist year-round, not just during holidays or weekends
If you operate in PA, especially in Philadelphia or near major distribution centers, heightened security measures and real-time monitoring are strongly recommended.
PA Rises in List of Top Targets
PMTA
Philadelphia is now a focal point in an alarming uptick in cargo theft across Pennsylvania, with law enforcement scrambling to stem the tide. The June 2025 Cargo Security Index, compiled by GearTrack, CargoNet, and Verisk, reports a 22% increase in statewide freight theft compared to the preceding weeks—underscoring Pennsylvania’s swift ascent to the ranks of the most targeted states nationwide. Pennsylvania replaced Georgia in June in the number five slot. California, Tennessee, Texas, and Illinois rounded out the top five. Most-targeted commodities were food and beverage, household goods, and electronics.
Philadelphia City data reveals the scope of the problem is staggering, with loads waiting near distribution centers for scheduled appointments increasingly susceptible to overnight theft. Cargo theft in Philadelphia‘s Eighth District alone jumped from just over 40 incidents in 2022 to 94 in 2023, with over 180 cases recorded by the end of that year, totaling losses in the millions of dollars.
Philadelphia’s criminals have not shied away from high-value targets. A bold heist in 2023 involved more than $234,000 in dimes, alongside others targeting TVs, alcohol, and seafood, prompting a federal indictment. In 2024, a series of high-profile thefts in the city netted 400 cases of beef worth $15,000, $10,000 in tuna, and $30,000 in crab legs.
Late last year, a coordinated sting—“Operation Beef Bandit”—led to the arrest of a ring of four Philadelphia men responsible for stealing meat, seafood, and alcohol from trucks at NJ Turnpike rest stops. The suspects were connected to similar thefts over three years in the tri-state area, involving millions of dollars’ worth of merchandise.
However, the arrests have not stemmed the tide. This summer, a Memorial Day robbery netted thieves $150,000 in beef in South Philly while two drivers slept in the cab.
Philadelphia is not solely responsible for the Commonwealth’s increase in cargo theft. Southcentral Pennsylvania was the target earlier this year when 100,000 organic eggs, totaling $40,000, were stolen while a trailer was parked at a distribution center in Greencastle.
On the national front, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) confirms that cargo theft surged 27% in 2024, with theft occurrences and average losses expected to climb another 22% by the end of 2025. The typical haul now exceeds $202,000 in value per incident—a financial blow that ripples across supply chains to the tune of up to $35 billion annually, increasing consumer prices and insurance costs.
Often, local police lack the tools to investigate and address these crimes, which frequently have patterns and players that cross jurisdictions. For example, “Operation Beef Bandit” required close the coordination of the FBI, Secret Service, and state investigators in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is advancing the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, a bipartisan proposal poised to enhance federal tools for disrupting these sophisticated criminal networks and establish an integrated response led by the Department of Homeland Security.
One factor contributing to theft risk is the limited availability of safe truck parking. When truck drivers cannot find secure spaces, they are often forced to park in unsecured areas, making their cargo more vulnerable. The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association (PMTA) has long advocated for expanded truck parking capacity as a critical safety measure—not just for driver rest and compliance with federal hours-of-service rules, but also to reduce theft opportunities.
Prevention Tips and Best Practices
To stay ahead of evolving threats, trucking companies should adopt multi-layered defenses:
- Use high-quality locks and tamper-evident seals on trailers to deter unauthorized access.
- Equip shipments with GPS tracking and geofencing alerts to detect unexpected route deviations.
- Drivers:
- Stay vigilant and report suspicious activity
- Secure parking in well-lit, heavily traveled, and/or monitored locations, and avoid overnight stops in known hotspots.
- Use surroundings to secure your trailer. For example, if possible, back up against a fence or building.
- Don’t discuss your load or your destination with anyone who doesn’t need to know.
- If you think you are being followed, slow down and allow the vehicle to pass you. If that doesn’t work, get off at an exit that offers a safe haven to see if the vehicle follows. Call 911 and report the incident if you are still suspicious. Then call your supervisor and find a safe and secure area to park.
- Try to have enough hours and fuel to drive several hours after initial pick-up before stopping to deter thieves from targeting your load.
- If your vehicle has to be left unattended, make it as short as possible; lock it up and take the keys.
- When you return to the truck, scan the area for suspicious persons or vehicles and adjust to the situation.
- Never confront a criminal – your safety is the priority! When in doubt, call 911.
