At the end of February, at one of the railway crossings in Chicago, a truck carrying expensive electronics was blocked by passenger cars and robbed in broad daylight. The police have not recorded such a brazen theft in our city before, and therefore law enforcement officers are wondering whether this is the beginning of a dangerous trend? The theft took place in the early afternoon on Friday, February 21. When the truck stopped at the railway crossing, it was blocked from the front and the rear by passenger cars. Several criminals jumped out of the parked cars and, after cutting the seals, opened the semi-trailer doors and began to steal the transported electronics. This event took place in broad daylight, on a busy road in the presence of many witnesses.
Experts from the company Overhaul, which is a supplier of technologies preventing thefts, say that such an incident has not been seen in the USA until now. Such thefts take place in countries with a significantly higher level of crime (especially when it comes to cargo thefts), such as Mexico and Brazil. Drivers must be aware that criminals often operate in the vicinity of logistics and industrial centers, as well as in parking lots outside delivery locations. Therefore, it is crucial that every driver is vigilant from the moment of loading and departure. Any suspicion that they are being followed should result in immediate contact with the dispatcher and, if possible, a return to the place of loading or entry to the nearest highway. Also, driving directly to the police station, if possible, is always a good option.
And taking into account our own backyard, i.e. the city of Chicago and the surrounding area, due to the fact that it plays the role of an intermodal hub, it has many places where the risk of theft is increased. A prudent driver will avoid stopping in unlit, isolated places and plan routes to avoid places where stops may be forced, e.g. railway crossings. If theft does occur, in a direct confrontation, the driver should remain calm and avoid escalation. Life and health are more valuable than any load. If it is possible to move away from the threat, this is advisable, but only when it is safe. Being a witness to such a crime, the driver should remember as many details as possible about the perpetrators: appearance, clothing, vehicles, registration numbers, etc. This information can be very helpful to law enforcement and contribute to the apprehension of the perpetrators.
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