Florida troopers recover 2 stolen semis hauling tires and batteries; driver flees
Florida troopers recovered two stolen semis carrying $100K+ in tires and lithium-ion batteries on Sept 14, arresting one driver after a multi-state cargo theft alert. Cross-agency coordination using trailer photos, plate checks, and VIN records enabled the recovery.
Rising organized cargo theft on major freight corridors signals broader supply chain risk for sellers in high-value categories like auto parts, electronics batteries, and tires — expect tighter carrier compliance requirements industrywide.
Lithium-ion battery and tire cargo theft is an organized, interstate operation — sellers sourcing these categories should audit supplier chain-of-custody documentation to avoid receiving stolen goods unknowingly. Verify carrier credentials and trailer IDs on inbound shipments from Southeast US corridors.
Operational Impact
This story may require teams to revisit workflows, monitoring, or platform assumptions.
Bottom Line
Battery and tire cargo theft is organized — verify your supply chain now.
Source Lens
Industry Context
Useful background context, but lower-priority than direct platform, community, or operator intelligence.
Impact Level
low
Battery and tire cargo theft is organized — verify your supply chain now.
Key Stat / Trigger
$100,000+ in stolen automobile tires recovered
Focus on the operational implication, not just the headline.
Full Coverage
Florida troopers recovered two stolen tractor-trailers carrying tires and lithium-ion batteries at a St. Johns County truck stop. Authorities arrested Eugenio Gonzalez-Merlo, 42, of Jacksonville. Another driver escaped on foot. An FHP arrest report details the September 14 operation.
Georgia State Patrol alerted Florida’s Cargo Theft Task Force about a stolen tire shipment heading south along Interstate 95. Investigators supplied photographs showing distinctive markings on its white Hyundai trailer. Detective James Smith spotted matching equipment near mile marker 334 around 7:30 p. m.
His license plate check revealed registration for another manufacturer. Eugenio Gonzalez-Merlo, whom Florida troopers arrested during a stolen-truck recovery in St. Johns County. (Photo: St.
Johns Citizen) A mismatched plate leads to diesel pumps Smith observed an International tractor pulling the Hyundai behind a Freightliner hauling green intermodal equipment. He described both combinations as “continuously changing lanes together.” Their drivers exited Interstate 95 onto County Road 210.
They continued east toward diesel pumps at TA Travel Center. Troopers stopped Gonzalez-Merlo’s International and detained him inside a marked patrol vehicle. During that detention, the Freightliner driver fled on foot. Officers searched nearby without locating their second suspect.
Investigators then checked identification numbers against stolen equipment records. Effingham County deputies confirmed theft reports covering an International tractor and green intermodal trailer. Jacksonville sheriff’s officials verified a stolen Freightliner. Liberty investigators corroborated records identifying the white Hyundai.
Each agency received recovery notifications. Theft counts cover equipment and tires FHP recorded two first-degree grand theft counts against Gonzalez-Merlo. One covered equipment, while another concerned automobile tires worth $100,000 or more, according to the report. Investigators additionally recorded drug possession.
Jail personnel booked him September 15 at 1:04 a. m. Gonzalez-Merlo faces criminal charges, but he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Why it matters This case shows freight professionals how trailer photographs, registration checks and identification numbers helped investigators locate stolen equipment.
Those details illustrate why accurate shipment records matter during cargo recovery. Click here for more articles on cargo theft and freight fraud by Phil Brink.
Fake FedEx drivers steal $680K electronics load from New Castle, DE, warehouse – FreightWaves Truck driver accused of trading $110K chicken load to pay drug debt – FreightWaves Burglary hits moving BNSF train as container catches fire in Riverside – FreightWaves The post Florida troopers recover 2 stolen semis hauling tires and batteries; driver flees appeared first on FreightWaves.
Audit inbound tire and battery shipments from Southeast US suppliers — request BOL and trailer ID verification to confirm cargo legitimacy before accepting inventory.
In the next 30 days, add carrier vetting steps to your 3PL or freight broker agreements, specifically requiring plate and VIN confirmation on high-value loads.
Original Source
This briefing is based on reporting from Freightwaves. Use the original post for full primary-source context.
Style
Audience