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During April 2025, Overhaul demonstrated its robust capabilities in tracking and recovering shipments when thieves targeted a distribution center in Walton, Kentucky. The thieves stole two shipping containers filled with small home appliances valued at over $1.75 million. Thanks to Overhaul’s quick response and law enforcement connections, we were able to successfully recover both containers.
Here’s how the theft and recovery went down:
Shipping containers stolen in Kentucky
The shipping container thefts involved two separate incidents during the early morning. Two hours after successfully stealing their first load, the criminals returned to steal a second container. These thieves used tractors stolen from a major leasing company to haul the containers.
Upon being notified, Overhaul quickly activated its LE Connect Team to assist in the recovery efforts. Overhaul was then able to provide updates on the location of the stolen goods to local law enforcement agencies.
Law enforcement gets involved
The search and recovery operation involved multiple police departments. Initially, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office responded to the theft at the distribution center. The data then indicated that the containers were being moved to Chicago, IL, and Greendale, IN. At this point, Overhaul promptly engaged the Chicago Police Department and Greendale Police Department.
Chicago PD located the first container after 2.5 hours of intensive searching in their jurisdiction. Greendale PD secured the second container after nearly 4 hours of searching. Both recoveries were made with all cargo intact.
Overhaul extends its gratitude to all the involved law enforcement agencies for their diligent efforts in recovering the containers.
What the stolen shipping containers reveal about risk
Cargo thefts like those above highlight the importance of contextual intelligence, remote compliance monitoring, and real-time visibility. Companies also require an immediate escalation process with effective law enforcement engagement in recovering stolen cargo.
Unfortunately, as theft continues to increase, so too do the risks to your supply chain. The cost of loss isn’t simply limited to a stolen load’s value. Rather, a single successful theft could lead to terrible reputational repercussions, legal costs, and a slew of other issues.
It’s important to work with a provider who offers the security you need to protect your in-transit shipments. However, many visibility providers simply track your cargo and offer no tools to help you intervene against risk. That’s where Overhaul is different. Visibility is the foundation of our solution, but it’s far from the only support we offer.
Overhaul’s visibility and risk monitoring support
Overhaul is the leading visibility and risk monitoring SaaS provider. Our technology offers support across various modes and regions. Better yet, our comprehensive approach not only prevents theft but also maintains product quality and helps achieve KPIs. Some of our offerings include:
Real-time tracking: Overhaul’s real-time tracking enables businesses to monitor their cargo’s location and condition wherever, whenever. This enables companies to quickly identify deviations from planned routes or schedules.
Customizable alerts: Users can set up alerts for various risk factors, including temperature changes, unauthorized door openings, or significant route deviations. These alerts help shippers proactively manage potential threats before they escalate into more significant issues.
Data analytics: Overhaul’s platform analyzes historical and real-time data to provide insights into potential risk patterns and trends. These analyses help companies make informed decisions and strategize their risk management practices more effectively.
Ease of integration: Integrating with Overhaul’s platform is quick and easy. This saves you time and money while also ensuring seamless connectivity with your current systems.
Carrier verification and monitoring: By validating carriers and monitoring their performance, Overhaul helps flag fraud and noncompliance. In turn, you gain peace of mind knowing your carriers are who they claim to be.
How Overhaul recovered other stolen shipping containers
In 2024, Overhaul managed 2,500 Incident Response Operations worldwide and helped recover $35 million worth of stolen goods. Over the last few months, we’ve monitored hundreds of additional shipments, helping aid in both theft prevention and recovery. While prevention is always the goal, a good recovery plan and insurance is the best backup.
Some recent recoveries include:
Rail theft in California
On April 1, 2025, Overhaul successfully facilitated the recovery of stolen rail freight in California. The incident was initially detected by Overhaul’s GSOC, which noticed unauthorized activity involving a shipment near Phelan, CA. Overhaul used real-time location and sensor data to accurately locate the theft. Law enforcement was then able to successfully locate and recover the cargo beside the tracks and apprehend several suspects.
FTL electronics recovery
On November 5, 2024, Overhaul successfully recovered a stolen truckload of televisions worth $329,000 in Fontana, CA. The shipment had been stolen from a staging area in Jurupa Valley during daylight hours. Overhaul, in coordination with the LE Connect team, was able to locate the stolen, heavily altered trailer in Riverside. Despite the alterations, including obscured license plates and graffiti, the cargo was intact and fully recovered.
Stolen tobacco secured
On September 7th, 2024, Overhaul helped recover a truckload of tobacco products that were en route to Dallas, TX. Overhaul detected a deviation from the planned route, which suggested a potential theft. The trailer was eventually located in Hope Hull, AL, where it had been repainted and remarked, and its license plates replaced. Law enforcement found and secured the trailer, ensuring a full recovery of the cargo.
A holistic approach to risk
Unfortunately, risk is everywhere, and it isn’t slowing down. Thieves can take advantage of various access points throughout the supply chain to enact their schemes. Given these threats, it’s crucial for companies to adopt a vigilant and responsive approach to supply chain safety.
By leveraging advanced monitoring tools, such as those provided by Overhaul, businesses can better predict and prevent theft. And when the worst happens, Overhaul can help them recover what they’ve lost.
Reach out today to learn more about how our holistic solution helps prevent (and recover) stolen shipping containers.
