Cargo Thieves Hijack AI Hardware Shipments in California Using PIT Maneuvers

Brazen Heists Target AI Hardware

In recent months, cargo thieves successfully hijacked two shipments of AI data center hardware in California. The thieves employed aggressive tactics, including a PIT maneuver and rear-ending, to disable private security escort vehicles accompanying the valuable cargo. Both stolen shipments were traveling from Silicon Valley to Southern California, and the trucks involved have not been recovered.

Escort Vehicles Disabled

Gerardo Pachuca, a cargo crime consultant, detailed the methods used: one escort vehicle was rear-ended by a driver who then fled, while the other was forced off the road using a PIT maneuver, a tactic commonly used by law enforcement to end car chases. After the escorts were incapacitated, the semi-trucks continued driving and disappeared. Investigators suspect the truck drivers were complicit, noting that both thefts involved motor carrier numbers that had recently changed hands, a known fraud technique.

Surge in Cargo Theft Losses

These incidents occur amidst a broader surge in cargo theft. Across the U.S. and Canada, cargo theft losses more than doubled year-over-year to $304.6 million in Q2 2026, despite a 26% decrease in the number of incidents. The average value of a reported theft reached $564,009. Enterprise computing and networking equipment, including AI hardware, are among the most frequently targeted categories, with multi-million dollar shipments often transported as conventional dry freight without specialized security.

Black Market Demand

The high value of the stolen AI hardware is underscored by the black market. Restricted Nvidia servers, for example, are reportedly selling in China for approximately twice their U.S. retail price. Freight investigators indicate that location pings from stolen components suggest many shipments end up overseas, fueling this illicit trade.