What is Hijacking?

Old Crime, New Methods

Hijacking is not a new type of crime, but in recent ears it has taken on a new significance. Formerly, the term applied largely to criminal activities in connection with the bootlegging of liquor, but today it applies to the theft of all types of merchandise when transported by trucks or other motor vehicles.

What does “Hijacking” Mean?

Sometimes, however, the term “hijacking” is misunderstood. It generally means the theft of a vehicle and its contents by means of force or implied force. In the newspapers, however, the term is often used to cover any type of crime involving a theft from a stolen vehicle. Consequently, when a car is stolen, it may be erroneously called a hijacking. The terminology used, however, is not so important as a proper understanding of the problem. This type of crime is associated exclusively with the motor truck transportation industry and it includes the whole subject of disappearance of merchandise while being transported by truck.

The Mobile Warehouse

Hijacking, truck cargo thefts, and pilferages, therefore, all comprise the same crime category. The criminal is presented with a “mobile warehouse” often offering solid lots of easily disposable merchandise. It is therefore easy to understand why this particular type of crime has increased so rapidly in recent years. Millions of trucks are hijacked a year. Insurance statistics also indicate a steady rise in this type of crime.

National Problem

The whole problem is a national one, just as truck transportation is national in scope, with over a half a million trucking companies, launching millions of trucks in the US alone. The populated cities have been hard hit by hijackings and truck cargo thefts but there has also been significant activity in other parts of the country. Precautions must be taken wherever valuable cargoes are being moved. If you are in a small town, do not think you will be safe from this crime.

This type of crime is very appealing to the professional thief.

Planned Cargo Theft

Most stolen truck cargoes are targeted beforehand and arrangements made in advance for their sale. Cigarettes, liquor, and all types of clothing articles are particularly popular because they have high value, are difficult to track down, and can be disposed of without too much difficulty. In addition, the underworld reacts to general business conditions. Whenever certain electronics were in demand, they were also high on the truck cargo thieves’ lists. Appliances, apparel, and pharmaceuticals have become favorite targets.

Unattended Trucks: “Cargo at Rest is Cargo at Risk”

The great majority of such crimes occur when the preloaded vehicle is left unattended. Unguarded trucks or trailers parked on streets, in front of terminals, and in vacant garages offer a tempting target for the thieves and hijackers who often bring their own tractor and haul the entire trailer away. Or sometimes they simply break into the vehicle and unload the contents into one of their own trucks.

Disposed of in 24 Hours

The stolen truck is almost always abandoned a few hours after it has been stolen, and the goods are placed as quickly as possible into the illegitimate trade channels of the underworld. Often, these thieves work so quickly that the stolen merchandise is completely disposed of within 24 hours.

Hijacking and Theft Everywhere

The more daring crooks will sometimes waylay a truck on a side street, force the driver out of the vehicle and take the truck away. Usually the driver is blindfolded and driven around until after the thieves have disposed of the contents of the truck, then he is released. Thieves also operate on the open road or in small rural areas. They have found that people are not likely to take any notice of a truck in a city of any size, and their movements go unobserved if they operated within the city limits of a town or city.

BABACO Alarm Systems: A Necessity

One especially effective means of reducing the hazard has been the use of BABACO automatic burglar alarm systems on trucks. Our burglar alarm system, recognized by insurance companies, has been especially effective and operates on a national basis with installation and servicing agencies located in strategic cities throughout the country.

When truckers are known to be handling valuable cargoes, it is often a part of their insurance requirements that these alarms be installed on their vehicles. BABACO alarm systems have been tested and recognized by Underwriters Laboratories and have proven themselves since 1930.

Each alarm is individually installed and serviced by a trained technician.

BABACO’s Digital Seal^®

Sometimes cargo theft is an inside job. The BABACO Digital Seal^® is an effective way to ascertain cargo integrity or if drivers have been accessing cargo. This includes a process to record the seal number to signify what loads have been tampered with.

Other Benefits of BABACO Digital Seals^®:

• Reusable: Replaces the old-fashioned metal or plastic seals that can be broken and cannot be re-used.
• Batteries last for up to 4 years.
• Automatic Operation: The digital seal is mounted on the door and provides a seal every time the door is closed.
• Can never be missing or cut.
• Guards doors that should remain closed, identifies if they have been tampered with, and attests to the integrity of your cargo.
• Is PERMANENTLY mounted on the door and provides a seal every time the door is closed.
• Replaces flimsy plastic seals that can be tampered with and broken. Plastic seals also can interfere with the padlock locking mechanism.

Protection and Prevention

Protection against crime can start at any point where the merchandize is picked up and with the vehicle that makes the pickup. Even if the actual hijacking or truck cargo theft takes place a thousand miles away, failure to take proper precautions at the outset, or at the point of origin, must be considered contributory negligence. You must be protected from the minute you load the freight to the minute you unload the freight.