WARREN, N.J. — If a guy’s going to swipe stuff from your truck or trailer, chances are it’s going to be on a weekend. And it’s probably going to happen at a truckstop or rest area.

What’s more, when he goes for it he’ll try to steal — in descending order of popularity — consumer electronics, household goods and clothing.

This all comes from statistics just released by the New Jersey-based Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. Chubb examined three and a half years of stats collected between January 2005 and June of this year.

According to Barry Tarnef, a marine loss-control specialist for Chubb, the stats “indicate where when and how” thieves are likely to strike, and therefore give truckers some insight into how to avoid the losses.

Truck stops and rest areas were the scenes for 39 percent of the thefts. Intermodal yards were next with 27 percent and the rest happened at an assortment of places such as motels and mall parking lots.

More than half of the crimes happened on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Warehouse burglaries accounted for six percent of the thefts and hijackings, while they get the most media attention, accounted for only three percent.

It takes more than juts an eye in the
sky to protect truck and trailer cargo

Consumer electronics – mostly TVs and DVDs – were ripped off in more than 15 percent of the incidents. Food came a close second at 14 percent.

At the same time as it released the stats, Chubb’s Tarnef offered truckers some crime-prevention tips:

— Thoroughly screen prospective employees. Some experts will tell you a high percentage of cargo thefts are partly inside jobs.

— Screen your colleagues and associate carriers, too. These other companies might have custody of your products before they make it to their final destination.

— Establish a security culture within your company. Provide security training and teach drivers about hijack awareness and prevention.

— After you finish reading this story, press the print button and then post it on a few bulletin boards around headquarters, so your people know you mean business.

— Think about security when planning lanes. And drivers should not be allowed to stop in the what Chubb refers to as the "red zone;" i.e., the first 200 miles/ or four hours from their starting point.

— If you have security guards, get them to patrol other parts of the property besides just the perimeter.

— Vehicle and shipment tracking technologies give you an extra set of eyes. Think of investing in some, including advanced, hi-tech security seals. Have guards patrol away from perimeters.

— Conduct security audits. These will also come in handy when applying for C-TPAT or FAST programs.

And oh, not leaving your your truck or trailer alone in a truckstop at midnight on a Saturday apparently helps too.