The last five years have seen an increase in cargo thefts over Memorial Day weekend. With 2025’s already record-breaking cargo theft events, analysts advise that truck drivers and logistics professionals exercise caution ahead of this holiday weekend.
Verisk CargoNet, a cargo theft prevention and recovery network, analyzed cargo theft patterns throughout the five days surrounding Memorial Day within the last five years. Analyzing data between the Thursday before Memorial Day to the Wednesday after the holiday, the industry experienced:
- 35 cargo thefts in 2020;
- 28 cargo thefts in 2021;
- 41 cargo thefts in 2023;
- and 39 cargo thefts in 2024.
These thefts account for a total loss of more than $13.6 million in value.
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"Our data shows that holiday weekends consistently create perfect opportunities for cargo thieves," Keith Lewis, VP of operations at Verisk CargoNet, said. "The days immediately following Memorial Day have historically seen elevated theft activity, likely because loaded trailers are often left unattended while businesses close for the holiday."
The surge in cargo thefts within the past two years adds to CargoNet analysts’ worry; the team currently processes an average of 338 reported thefts per month compared to a previous average of 136 monthly reports from 2013 to 2022, Lewis said.
CaroNet released an infographic breaking down the stats behind Memorial Day cargo thefts over the years. It highlights thieves’ top targeted states, location types, and commodity types.
Where does cargo theft take place?
California is the most-targeted state for Memorial Day cargo thefts, with 46 of the 159 total reported incidents within the last five years. San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County are the most targeted counties, possibly because of their proximity to major logistic hubs, CargoNet explained.
Texas is the second-most targeted state, with Dallas County—another area with major logistic hubs—the highest targeted area in the state. The state has experienced 30 of the 159 reported incidents throughout the last five years.
Florida is the third-most targeted state for Memorial Day cargo thefts, with 16 of the 159 total thefts within the last five years. Other areas with significant cargo theft activity include the Chicagoland region and Phoenix metropolitan area—both major logistics hubs.
"We're seeing increasingly sophisticated operations targeting these logistics hotspots," Lewis cautioned. "Criminal organizations are well aware of where high-value shipments are most likely to be found and are exploiting vulnerabilities in these areas."
While thefts are most likely to take place at warehouses and distribution centers, thefts also often take place in parking lots.
See also: Operation Safe Driver Week: A call to action for safer roads from July 13-19
What commodities do cargo thieves target?
The most-targeted commodities among cargo thieves are food and beverages, household goods, and electronics, according to CargoNet.
“Cargo thieves have adapted their targeting strategies to focus on commodities that have seen recent surges in demand or value," Lewis said. "Our data shows a significant shift toward copper, vehicle accessories, energy drinks, alcoholic beverages, footwear, and meat products as primary targets this year."
Ways to mitigate cargo theft this holiday weekend
"The combination of record-high theft rates and a major holiday weekend creates significant risk for the supply chain," Lewis said. "By understanding the patterns and implementing proactive security measures, companies can substantially reduce their vulnerability during this critical period."
CargoNet recommends trucking and logistics professionals exercise heightened caution throughout the five-day period surrounding Memorial Day. Cargo theft can be avoided by taking preventive measures such as conducting security briefings with drivers and staff, verifying all security systems are functioning properly, avoiding unsecured parking, reporting suspicious activity immediately, scheduling strategically to minimize the time loaded trailers sit unattended, and implementing layered security measures such as high-security locks and GPS tracking devices.
