Cargo Theft Increases Heading into Labor Day Holiday, Report Shows

While workers are taking a break to celebrate a holiday that honors labor, crooks will be laboring to take advantage of that time off. Cargo theft activity typically spikes on the days preceding and following Labor Day weekend, according to a new report.

A report from Verisk CargoNet analyzed incidents between the Thursdays before Labor Day and the Wednesday after from 2019 to 2023.

The trend emerged that suggests that loaded conveyances left unattended as workers begin their holiday weekend are prime targets for thieves. The risk is compounded because many of these thefts may go unnoticed until business resumes after the holiday, the report shows.

The Verisk report shows theft activity hit record levels in 2022 and maintained an elevated state through 2023.

Warehouses, truck stops, and large retail parking lots were found to be the most common sites for thefts, while high-value electronics (TVs, major appliances, computers, vehicle maintenance products) were the most sought-after items.

The report found the most impacted states were California with 42 thefts reported, followed by Texas (24) and Florida (16). The most affected counties were San Bernadino and Los Angeles in California, Dallas in Texas and Cook in Illinois.

Conveyance cargo thefts were the most used method for thieves, surpassing complex schemes, the report shows.

Noteworthy thefts from previous Labor Day holidays include:

• $1,088,983 in seafood stolen from Sioux City, Iowa
• $800,000 in footwear stolen from Memphis, Tennessee
• $713,000 in apparel and accessories stolen from Eastvale, California
• $500,000 in air purification machines stolen from North Las Vegas, Nevada
• $439,484 in hair dryers stolen from Ontario, California