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(Image: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department)

Florida sheriffs arrest semi-truck ECM theft ring

In a significant crackdown on organized crime, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) announced on July 29, 2025, the arrest of four individuals involved in a sophisticated theft ring targeting Electronic Control Modules (ECMs) from semi-trucks across multiple Florida counties. The operation, which victimized 93 truck owners and operators, resulted in over $750,000 in losses from stolen parts and extensive vehicle damage. Sheriff Chad Chronister declared the crime spree officially over, emphasizing the severe economic impact on the trucking industry.

The investigation began in May 2025 when an HCSO detective witnessed a suspect breaking into the engine compartment of a Freightliner truck in a short-term parking lot in Hillsborough County. This incident uncovered a coordinated group of four thieves who systematically infiltrated truck parking facilities. They focused on stealing ECMs—critical components often referred to as the "brain" of the truck—while causing substantial collateral damage to engine compartments in their haste to escape. The stolen ECMs, valued between $3,000 and $10,000 each, were transported to a broker in Texas, where they were wiped clean and resold on the black market.

HCSO detectives collaborated with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, securing 25 search warrants and subpoenas to build their case. The suspects, identified as Cuban nationals residing in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade areas with no legal status in the U.S., were apprehended following meticulous surveillance and evidence gathering. The arrested individuals are:

Geosvany Figuerdero-Gonzalez, 27: Charged with one count of Conspiracy to Engage in Racketeering, 28 counts of Grand Theft 3rd Degree, 28 counts of Burglary of Unoccupied Conveyance (Travel Across County Lines), and one count of Criminal Mischief of $1,000 or more.

Orlando Martinez-Dorta, 28: Facing one count of Conspiracy to Engage in Racketeering, nine counts of Grand Theft 3rd Degree, nine counts of Burglary of Unoccupied Conveyance (Travel Across County Lines), and one count of Criminal Mischief of $1,000 or more.

Liovel Urra-Penate, 28: Charged with one count of Conspiracy to Engage in Racketeering.

Brian Sanchez-Perez, 27: Accused of one count of Conspiracy to Engage in Racketeering, 28 counts of Grand Theft 3rd Degree, 28 counts of Burglary of Unoccupied Conveyance (Travel Across County Lines), and one count of Criminal Mischief of $1,000 or more.

Sheriff Chronister highlighted the broader ramifications of these thefts, noting that removing an ECM renders a truck inoperable, leading to lost wages for drivers and unrealized earnings for trucking companies. "I shudder to think about the value of money that they’ve lost, that their families suffered, that income, because of these four individuals," he stated. The damages extended beyond the stolen parts, as thieves ravaged engine components during extractions, amplifying repair costs and downtime.

This case underscores the vulnerability of the logistics sector to high-tech theft rings, where valuable electronic components are prime targets for resale. By dismantling this operation, authorities have not only recovered some stolen items but also sent a strong message against such organized crimes that disrupt supply chains and burden hardworking truckers. The arrests reflect effective inter-agency cooperation in combating cross-county criminal networks, potentially deterring similar schemes in the future.

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Escalating cargo theft spurs innovative mitigation strategies

(Photo: FreightWaves])

Cargo theft in the U.S. supply chain has surged to alarming levels, prompting companies to deploy advanced tools and tactics for prevention. According to CargoNet, incidents spiked 57% year-over-year in 2023, followed by a 27% increase in 2024, reaching "unprecedented levels." In Q2 of the current year, theft events rose 13% YoY, with an average loss of $203,586 per incident. This rise not only drains finances but also inflates insurance costs, as seen with Landstar System’s $3.2 million YoY jump in Q2 claims to $30.4 million, largely from theft and accidents.

The threat landscape is evolving rapidly. Criminals now mimic cybercriminals, using technology for sophisticated schemes like double brokering—where fraudsters pose as trucking firms, secure contracts, and redirect loads via legitimate carriers before vanishing. Phishing emails steal carrier identities, while thieves target high-demand items like food, beverages, and electronics, especially amid inflation. Bob Costello of the American Trucking Associations said, “The reason why this is different is because [criminals] are using technology to trick supply chain participants into delivering, essentially, the freight right to them.” Scott Cornell from Travelers added that thieves adapt to commodity inflation without increasing overall stolen volumes.

Impacts extend beyond direct losses, hiking consumer prices and disrupting logistics. To counter this, firms are investing heavily. Wabash acquired a cargo security tech company to meet rising demand for freight protection tools. Descartes spent $24 million on a carrier onboarding and risk monitoring firm last September. Landstar established a dedicated fraud department, hired experts, and integrated tech from multiple vendors, emphasizing people, education, and innovation.

Experts advocate a proactive "hunter mindset." CargoNet’s Keith Lewis urges using theft clues for prevention: “We have to go to more of a hunter type of mindset versus being prey to these folks. The clues are there every time they steal a load.” He recommends recruiting fraud specialists from banking or credit card sectors to spot red flags. Cornell advises making operations "harder targets" through preparation and resilience, rather than predicting crimes.

This trend underscores the need for adaptive security in logistics. By blending technology acquisitions, expert hires, and vigilant strategies, the industry aims to outpace organized thieves, safeguarding supply chains and mitigating economic ripple effects.