More than half (54%) of all U.S. cargo theft incidents occurred in California, Florida, and Texas in March 2025, according to The GearTrack April Cargo Security Index.
California’s reported cargo theft incidents increased by 34% month-over-month, while both Texas’ and Florida’s number of incidents increased 17% compared to February. Additionally, food and beverage were amongst the top targeted thefts, which included a thwarted heist of $55,000 worth of beef in Philadelphia, along with household goods and automobiles.
The surge in theft is attributed to rising economic pressures, tariff uncertainty, increased shipment volumes, and the growing sophistication of criminal networks.
“Organized theft groups are developing new, innovative schemes—from non-delivery of loads to following freight trains along delivery routes — and even forging documents for fraudulent pick-ups,” said Ilan Gluck, General Manager of GearTrack in an April 28 statement. “Shippers needing to transport food and beverage, apparel and accessories, household goods, metals, and vehicles or auto parts should increase focus on route planning to ensure the safe, timely delivery of valuable goods.”
The Cargo Security Index is a strategic collaboration between GearTrack, a cargo tracking provider, and CargoNet, a Verisk business, which offers a cargo theft recovery and analytics network. The Index provides monthly insights into emerging cargo theft trends, high-risk routes, regional crime heatmaps, and detailed analyses of organized theft activity, drawing on data from April 2025. It is designed to equip shippers, logistics providers, and insurers with the intelligence needed to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats.
