crime

RCMP seek truck shooting witnesses

CHILLIWACK, BC - One man is charged with attempted murder after shots were fired at vehicles on BC highways 16, 37 and 97 over a 14-hour period that began Friday, March 24 at 8:30 pm -- and police are looking for further witnesses. Shots were reported in communities including Houston, Burns Lake, Vanderhoof, Clucuz Lake, Prince George, Quesnel and 100 Mile House. While there were no injuries during that initial shooting spree, bullets did hit radiators and windows. Most of the shootings involved commercial vehicles, although one passenger vehicle was hit as well, RCMP Staff Sergeant Annie Linteau told Today's Trucking. There have been 22 reports of shot trucks overall.

Truck Cargo Theft Reporting Program Expands

EDMONTON, AB - A truck cargo theft reporting program that has reportedly been highly successful in Eastern Canada is expanding to four western provinces. The announcement was made Tuesday by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), along with law enforcement and provincial trucking associations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. "Cargo theft is a serious crime. It is costing the Canadian economy billions of dollars and can be dangerous," said Bill Adams, a vice-president with IBC, which represents private insurance companies. "The cargo theft initiative brings together the many different parts of the transportation system to help curb this type of criminal activity, protect people in our communities and save Canadians money."

Cargo Theft Reporting Program to Launch in Western Canada

EDMONTON, AB - Western truckers along with law enforcement and insurance interests are stepping up their battle against cargo theft. On Tuesday, the Alberta Motor Truck Association (AMTA), the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), which represents insurance companies, and provincial police are set to offer details on the expansion of the successful cargo theft reporting program to Western Canada. This program will help raise awareness of and combat the growing problem of cargo theft, which includes stealing trucks and trailers containing merchandise. Cargo theft in Western Canada and across the country has become a serious issue, according to the groups. Not only does it put the safety of Canadians in jeopardy, it can cost the Canadian economy billions of dollars a year. Also, it's often linked to organized crime, which uses the proceeds to fund gun and drug smuggling.

Trucking Company Faces More Than $3 Million in Fines

EDMONTON, AB - Police in Edmonton have charged a locally based trucking company with over $3 million in commercial vehicle related fines this month due to more than 1,900 alleged violations. The Edmonton Police Service's Commercial Vehicle Inspection Detail says it received information AB Gill Trucking Ltd. that was allegedly carrying loads over the allowed weight limits. The investigation began on Sept. 25, 2015, following an anonymous tip. Many of the company's trucks were being used to transport soil to a waste management facility on Yellowhead Trail and 170 Street. From Aug. 15 to Sept. 19, 2015, the trucking company made 1907 trips to the waste management facility, according to police. Also, trucks operated by the same company were reported to be overweight by at least one ton on each visit. One truck was allegedly recorded as nearly 18 tons overweight.

Heading Southbound? Cargo Thefts on the Rise

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - If you head southbound to pickup or deliver some freight, then beware once you have take possession of it because a new report says cargo thefts are increasing. From April through June in the U.S., cargo thieves stole more than US$19.5 million in freight from the country's supply chain, according to theft prevention and recovery service CargoNet. Nationwide, cargo theft increased 8 percent in second-quarter 2015 year-over-year. The total estimated value of stolen cargo was up US$8 million when compared year-over-year. The average cargo theft was worth about US$168,308 in stolen goods, but some categories such as electronics were much higher. The median theft was worth US$338,464. April had the most recorded cargo thefts in the U.S. at 70, then decreasing in May with 67 incidents and 57 in June.