Buzz
Are you bored of the usual theft figures? These numbers might not shock you anymore. It’s no surprise to hear about countless cars or smartphones being stolen annually—it’s almost expected.
Yet, some theft statistics defy imagination. No matter how often we encounter such data, certain facts remain hard to grasp. Here are ten astonishing theft statistics that will leave you stunned:
10. Annual Theft of Cooking Oil Worth $75 Million
The arrest of a man stealing used cooking oil from a Burger King dumpster in Virginia might seem bizarre, but it’s part of a widespread crime. Approximately $75 million worth of cooking oil is stolen annually, driven by the rising demand for biofuel. With laws promoting biofuel use, this black market thrives. The Virginia suspect earned 25 cents per gallon, making $300 to $400 per theft.
9. Annual Theft of One Million Parking Cones
Drivers are no strangers to parking cones. These bright markers are commonly seen during road construction, repairs, or accidents. The first modern traffic cone was invented by Charles D. Scanlon, a Los Angeles street painter. Frustrated with the constant damage to wooden tripod markers, he designed a durable rubber version. Today, rubber cones are ubiquitous.
In the U.S., around one million traffic cones are stolen annually. In the U.K., police sometimes organize 'Cone Amnesties,' encouraging citizens to return 'borrowed' cones.
8. 600,000 Guns Stolen Annually in the U.S.
Gun theft is a significant issue in the United States, contributing to firearm trafficking and violent crime. Each year, between 300,000 and 600,000 guns are stolen, averaging at least one gun every minute at the higher end. As more states expand gun-carrying rights, the number of thefts continues to rise.
7. 25% of American Adults Fell Victim to Identity Theft in 2021
The rise of the Internet of Things has made identity theft more common. While early 2000s internet use was limited to laptops and phones, today’s convenience-driven tech, like Amazon Echo, has opened new vulnerabilities. Despite these advancements, the 2021 identity theft statistics were staggering—one in four Americans were affected.
This figure includes loan application fraud. Not only did the number of victims rise in 2021, but the average loss per victim skyrocketed from $201 to $1,551, with victims spending around nine hours resolving issues. Americans experience identity theft at twice the global rate, partly due to poor security habits. For example, many surveyed individuals lacked password-protected Wi-Fi at home.
6. 260 Million Packages Stolen by Porch Pirates in a Year
In the U.S., porch pirates are as eager for your deliveries as you are. These thieves snatch packages from doorsteps, and in one year, a shocking 260 million parcels were stolen. The post-COVID-19 surge in online shopping has fueled this trend, as more people avoid in-store visits to reduce pathogen exposure. Unfortunately, this shift has also led to a 25% increase in porch piracy, totaling 260 million stolen packages in 2022.
5. Over Two Million Bikes Stolen in the U.S. in 2019
Bikes are lightweight and easy to transport, making them prime targets for thieves. Breaking bike locks often goes unnoticed, allowing criminals to operate freely. In 2019, North America saw two million bikes stolen, while the Netherlands reported 700,000 thefts over two years. The U.K. recorded 125,136 bike thefts the same year. These staggering numbers mean a bike was stolen every 30 seconds in North America in 2019. In the U.K., an average of 215 bikes were stolen daily between April and August the following year.
4. The Infamous Canadian Maple Syrup Heist
Maple syrup, derived from maple tree sap, is a highly valuable commodity. Between 2011 and 2012, thieves stole nearly 3,300 tons (3,000 metric tonnes) of maple syrup worth $18 million from a Quebec storage facility. The syrup was stored in unmarked white barrels, inspected only annually.
The thieves used trucks to move the barrels to a remote location, siphoned the syrup, replaced it with water, and returned the barrels to the facility. The Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, which manages 77% of the world’s maple syrup supply, operated the targeted storage site.
3. 75% of Employees Admit to Stealing from Their Workplace
While stories of embezzlement make headlines, it’s harder to believe that 75% of employees have stolen from their workplace at least once. This statistic comes from a reliable source—the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber also revealed that 30% of business failures may stem from employee fraud. This means three out of ten companies collapse due to theft by their own staff. Beyond financial theft, employees often take smaller items. For example, one in ten admitted to stealing toilet paper, while 80% confessed to taking pens from their workplace.
2. 25 Million Milk Crates Stolen Annually
Milk crates, used to transport dairy products, are frequently stolen for personal use. Many people repurpose them for storage in basements, garages, or backyards. This theft drives up milk prices, as dairy farmers must replace the crates to maintain operations.
The alarming reality is that up to 25 million milk crates are stolen annually, resulting in an estimated $100 million in losses. While stores are supposed to return these crates for reuse, this rarely happens. Investigations have uncovered that disreputable plastic processors grind the crates into chips and sell them on the black market.
1. Two Million Dogs Stolen Annually in the U.S.
Despite being domesticated, dogs can be highly dangerous, which is why they are often trained as guard animals. Yet, it’s shocking that some individuals steal dogs as part of their illegal activities. In the U.S., two million dogs are stolen every year.
Rare breeds and valuable puppies are often sold to unethical dealers, medical testing facilities, or unsuspecting buyers. Tragically, some of these dogs end up in illegal dog-fighting rings, forced into brutal contests. To add to the concern, one-third of all dogs and cats in the U.S. go missing, and over 80% are never recovered.
