Shares of cargo theft by product type from June to August, based on average loss value per incident.

FreightWatch International, a logistics security services company, reported a total of 202 cargo thefts in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2013, with 87 thefts in June, 62 in July and 53 in August.

The average loss value per incident during this period was $166,454. Compared with the previous quarter from March through May, thefts increased by 5 percent, while the average loss value increased by 9 percent.

Food and drinks, with 45 thefts, were the products most often stolen in this quarter, comprising 22 percent of all incidents during the three-month period. Products targeted in this category included various meats, cereals, drinks and prepared foods. The electronics industry experienced 29 thefts, or 14 percent of the total, mainly consisting of televisions, computers and computer accessories. There were also 25 thefts, or 12 percent of all incidents, in the metals sector, including copper, aluminum and steel.

Drops in theft numbers were significant in the pharmaceuticals, food and drinks and auto parts categories in the third quarter, but thefts increased in metals, electronics and building and industrial products in particular.

California remained the state with the most thefts, accounting for 22 percent of all U.S. incidents, followed by Texas with 18 percent of the total. Illinois took the No. 3 spot with 14 percent.

Of the theft incidents in which a location type was recorded, unsecured parking, with 111 thefts or 55 percent of the total, was the most common. Following the “usual” trend, incidents involving theft of trailers and containers, totaling 165 incidents or 76 percent in all, were the most common in the quarter.