Cargo Theft: $963K in Trading Cards Taken From a Truck

What happened

A cargo theft in California shows how fast a load can disappear. Nearly $1 million in trading cards were stolen from a FedEx truck in Santa Ana, California. The cards included Pokémon, sports and other collectible cards. FreightWaves reported the story on Oct. 20, 2026.

On Oct. 13, the driver was parked at a Professional Sports Authenticator facility, a company that grades collectible cards. The driver found the lock missing from the cargo door. Two full pallets were gone. More packages had been taken from a third pallet.

The loss was first valued at about $963,000. It could end up higher. Police have not finished counting what is missing.

Detectives went back on Oct. 20 to look at surveillance video. They still cannot say when or where the theft happened. There are no suspects and no arrests. Nothing has been recovered so far.

FedEx said the security of its customers' shipments is a top priority. The company said it is working with local police.

What it means for owner-operators

This happened to a big company with big systems. It can happen to a one-truck operation too. Thieves look for cargo that is small, valuable and easy to sell. Trading cards fit that list. So do electronics, auto parts and many other loads you may haul.

The key detail is the lock. The driver only knew something was wrong when the lock was gone. Investigators still do not know where the theft took place. That is the hard part. If you do not check your doors at each stop, you may not know where your load was hit.

A theft like this hurts in many ways. You may face a claim, a lost customer and days of paperwork. Your record of what happened, and when, matters a lot.

What to do next

• Check your lock and seal every time you stop and every time you leave. Take a quick photo with the time on it.
• Write down seal numbers on your bill of lading and in your log.
• Use a strong lock made for trailers or cargo boxes, not a cheap padlock.
• Park in well-lit, busy places with cameras when you can. Avoid leaving a loaded truck alone for long.
• Do not share load details, routes or pickup times on social media or with people you do not know.
• If your lock or seal is gone, call police right away and do not move the cargo more than needed.
• Learn how theft and fraud are changing in our guide on cargo theft and freight fraud in 2026.
• Review what your policy covers, and what it may not, in our cargo insurance basics guide.

Want to talk about protecting your cargo and your truck? Call TCZ Insurance Agency at 956-526-6727.