Cargo thefts at freight hubs in major cities across North America increased 49% year-over-year in the first half of 2024.

According to data released by cargo security company Overhaul on August 22, 45% of cargo thefts were in California, the largest share of any state. Roughly 36% of those thefts took place in what Overhaul calls the "Southern California Red Zone," encompassing a 200-mile radius centered on the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. That red zone also experienced as many cargo thefts in the first six months of the year as Texas, Tennessee, Illinois, Georgia and Arizona combined. 

"This report should be a wake-up call," Overhaul CEO and founder Barry Conlon said. "Criminals are not only more organized, but they're also tracking loads as they leave warehouses and distribution centers known to store valuable products, waiting to strike when vehicles are left vulnerable."

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The Southern California Red Zone has become a hotspot due in large part to its status as the West Coast's largest shipping hub, as well as the presence of large distribution centers across the region. Thieves will typically monitor a warehouse or distribution center in the area, wait for a shipment to leave the facility, and then follow that shipment until it stops and is left unattended. After that, they'll break into the vehicle, take its cargo, and load as much of it as they can into a nearby van or truck. Police data gathered by Overhaul showed that thieves will often follow shipments for more than 200 miles, and wait for drivers to stop for breaks mandated by the Department of Transportation. 

Incidents in Canada were largely concentrated in Ontario, which saw 92% of all cargo thefts in the country. The other 8% was spread across British Columbia (3%), Saskatchewan (2%), Alberta (2%) and Quebec (1%).