Truck hijacking
Encyclopedia
Truck hijacking is the taking of a truck
: normally for the consignment
being carried, by force, or the threat of force to the driver.
Unlike carjacking
, where the object is to steal the vehicle, the object of truck hijacking is generally to steal the load, which is easier to sell than the commercial vehicle itself. Truck hijackers are normally violent, professional thieves, who have planned the method of attack, captivity of the driver, a location where the trailer will be unloaded, and have the capacity to fence
the load once they have it.
Fundamental to all truck hijacking is that the vehicle is in a 'stop' position. The attack therefore, can take place at any time the vehicle is stationary, however, the thieves often use social engineering
techniques to ensure that the vehicle stops at an agreed, or convenient, location to the hijackers.
The initial approach may necessitate creating a situation where the driver is more relaxed in a 'stop' location. Whether at a location where the driver is taking a break, or purportedly being stopped by police.
The truck driver is then quickly overpowered, and often placed in the passenger-side foot well, bunk area, or in another vehicle used by the thieves. On occasions, he can be forced to drive the hijacked truck to a destination dictated by the hijackers, whilst in fear, or under threat of, violence. Vehicle tracking technology can help detect this kind of detour.
Any load can be subject to hijack: it is not only vehicles that are pulling/carrying high value loads. Key areas of awareness are fundamental for any truck driver who may face hijack. Awareness of the situation should take into account when a driver is most vulnerable, being approached using subterfuge and opportunity.
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
: normally for the consignment
Consignment
Consignment the act of consigning, which is placing any material in the hand of another, but retaining ownership until the goods are sold or person is transferred. This may be done for shipping, transfer of prisoners, to auction, or for sale in a store Consignment the act of consigning, which is...
being carried, by force, or the threat of force to the driver.
Unlike carjacking
Carjacking
Carjacking is a form of hijacking, where the crime is of stealing a motor vehicle and so also armed assault when the vehicle is occupied. Historically, such as in the rash of semi-trailer truck hijackings during the 1960s, the general term hijacking was used for that type of vehicle abduction,...
, where the object is to steal the vehicle, the object of truck hijacking is generally to steal the load, which is easier to sell than the commercial vehicle itself. Truck hijackers are normally violent, professional thieves, who have planned the method of attack, captivity of the driver, a location where the trailer will be unloaded, and have the capacity to fence
Fence (criminal)
A fence is an individual who knowingly buys stolen property for later resale, sometimes in a legitimate market. The fence thus acts as a middleman between thieves and the eventual buyers of stolen goods who may or may not be aware that the goods are stolen. As a verb, the word describes the...
the load once they have it.
Fundamental to all truck hijacking is that the vehicle is in a 'stop' position. The attack therefore, can take place at any time the vehicle is stationary, however, the thieves often use social engineering
Social engineering (security)
Social engineering is commonly understood to mean the art of manipulating people into performing actions or divulging confidential information...
techniques to ensure that the vehicle stops at an agreed, or convenient, location to the hijackers.
The initial approach may necessitate creating a situation where the driver is more relaxed in a 'stop' location. Whether at a location where the driver is taking a break, or purportedly being stopped by police.
The truck driver is then quickly overpowered, and often placed in the passenger-side foot well, bunk area, or in another vehicle used by the thieves. On occasions, he can be forced to drive the hijacked truck to a destination dictated by the hijackers, whilst in fear, or under threat of, violence. Vehicle tracking technology can help detect this kind of detour.
Any load can be subject to hijack: it is not only vehicles that are pulling/carrying high value loads. Key areas of awareness are fundamental for any truck driver who may face hijack. Awareness of the situation should take into account when a driver is most vulnerable, being approached using subterfuge and opportunity.
External links
- http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=13889
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7538234.stm