Earlier this month, thieves stole a chassis container trailer of footwear from a warehouse yard in Torrance, CA. Without releasing the location of the theft or brand of products, authorities noted that the shoes, which consisted of both men’s and women’s sneakers, had a retail value of over $100 per pair, placing the load of 10,728 pairs at over $1 million.
It comes as no surprise that the theft occurred on a Sunday, since most thefts occur over the weekend due to cargo sitting with many businesses being closed. Two days later, authorities uncovered the trailer in Whittier, less than an hour away; however, the goods were gone.
Los Angeles Police Department’s Cargo Hijack Unit was tipped off about the stolen shipment at a business, which remains anonymous, in El Monte. Fortunately, all but one case of shoes was found, with a recovery value of $900,000.
As LAPD Cargo Hijack Unit Detective Marc Zavala explains, thieves often sell these loads on the black market, with a load valued at $1 million like the one above being worth maybe only $30,000.1
Investigators have not yet identified the suspects and it has not been determined if the owner of the business was involved. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Zavala at (818) 832-7510.2
With trucks accounting for almost 80% of freight bills in the U.S., $676.2 billion according to 2016 statistics, it is important to choose a secure carrier with a proven record of cargo security.3
Road Scholar Transport is a proud member of the Cargo Security Alliance and has never suffered a full cargo loss in our company history. Here’s why:
*Electronic door monitoring, which provides e-mail alerting, online monitoring/reporting, on-demand GPS location, and complete coverage throughout North & Central America.
*PeopleNet:
-Breadcrumb logging of GPS position history.
-Geo-fencing capability-Route or facility specific with alerting
*Orbcomm:
-Trailer Van and Reefer Tracking
-Up to the minute event tracking for trailers
-Breadcrumb logging of GPS position history.
-Geo-fencing capability
*Roof decals for aerial tracking.
*Navalock:
-Accepted by US customs as a high security seal.
-Bolt cutter, sledgehammer, and chisel proof.
-5 ton breaking load on locking bar.
*Babaco TRUK LOC V:
-Tested to withstand severe shock and weather.
-Tamper Proof.
-100% Weather Proof.
-Eliminates the need for a padlock and seal.
-Cannot be lost, cut, stolen, or broken.
-Permanently installed on vehicle.
-Integrates a high security Babaco® restricted keyway, eliminating the ability for drivers to duplicate keys.
*Temperature gauge lock: The temperature control device, as well as the on/off switch, is locked to prevent tampering.
*Trailer brake locks: Once the key is dislodged, the trailer cannot be moved as the air brakes are locked up.
*Facility security
-Our Dunmore, PA facility is normally staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
-During any holiday closures, our facility is secured and on-site security is maintained by utilizing the services of Vector Security.
-24 hour digital property surveillance monitored both on site and remotely by use of internet remote connectivity.
-Any high risk/high value freight is locked and access to rear door is denied.
*Policies, protocols, and compliance (FDA-483)
*Background checking
*Our awareness trailers are painted in bright eye-catching colors and brilliant graphics to help raise awareness for the less fortunate and, in turn, provide additional security to freight. Who would highjack any of these trucks?
*PC Miler: Provides routing options
*Traffic camera monitoring and RSS traffic feeds
*Hot shipment monitoring
Don’t “kick” yourself later for not taking the time today to invest in a secure carrier. Visit www.roadscholar.com for more information.
1http://www.laweekly.com/news/1-million-in-shoes-taken-in-greater-los-angeles-8522618
2https://lawestmedia.com/lawest/thieves-steal-1-million-worth-footwear-police-search-clues/
3https://www.gobytrucknews.com/trucking-revenue-2016/123
