Costco-Bound $400,000 Lobster Shipment Stolen Before Arrival

A recent incident involving a $400,000 shipment of lobsters destined for Costco locations in Illinois and Minnesota has raised alarms in the logistics community. The shipment, which originated in Taunton, Massachusetts, was hijacked before it could reach its delivery points, according to Dylan Rexing, CEO of Indiana-based Rexing Companies. This troubling event highlights a growing trend of organized cargo theft targeting high-value products.

Rexing explained to WFLD that the heist appears to be part of a larger network of criminals specializing in cargo theft. “This is a huge issue across the country,” he stated. “It directly impacts businesses and contributes to higher prices for consumers.”

The FBI has launched an investigation into the lobster shipment theft, although no arrests have been reported at this time. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities in the supply chain, particularly as the holiday season approaches.

PORT STRIKE COULD AFFECT HOLIDAY SHOPPING AND SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS

Cooked lobsters sit on ice at Woodman’s on July 12, 2025. (Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Earlier this year, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) initiated Operation Boiling Point to combat organized retail crime. HSI estimates that cargo theft results in annual losses ranging from $15 to $35 billion. This operation aims to address the alarming rise in organized theft.

Josh Edgcombe, co-owner of SoPo Seafood, takes a lobster from the tank on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images / Getty Images)

US MUST TRANSFORM DEFENSE SUPPLY CHAIN INTO A ‘WEAPON ITSELF,’ EXPERT WARNS

HSI has indicated that organized theft groups frequently target cargo at various points, including ports of entry, truck stops, and freight trains. While these groups may not always be involved in organized retail crime, they often connect with fences who buy stolen goods.

In September, the Department of Transportation sought input from law enforcement, transportation agencies, and industry stakeholders to enhance protections against cargo theft in the U.S. supply chain.

Corey Morris measures a lobster while lobstering off the shore near Tenants Harbor Friday, June 24, 2016. The lobster was released. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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The growing concern over cargo theft is evident, with the U.S. transportation system facing significant economic losses annually. These crimes range from opportunistic thefts at truck stops to highly coordinated operations by organized criminal networks. Both types of theft disrupt supply chains and can fund broader illicit activities, including narcotics trafficking and human smuggling. The Department of Transportation’s request for information emphasizes the need for enhanced security measures to protect the supply chain.

As of now, Rexing Companies, the Illinois State Police, the FBI Chicago, FBI Minneapolis, and Costco have not provided comments regarding this incident.

A recent incident involving a $400,000 shipment of lobsters destined for Costco locations in Illinois and Minnesota has raised alarms in the logistics community. The shipment, which originated in Taunton, Massachusetts, was hijacked before it could reach its delivery points, according to Dylan Rexing, CEO of Indiana-based Rexing Companies. This troubling event highlights a growing trend of organized cargo theft targeting high-value products.

Rexing explained to WFLD that the heist appears to be part of a larger network of criminals specializing in cargo theft. “This is a huge issue across the country,” he stated. “It directly impacts businesses and contributes to higher prices for consumers.”

The FBI has launched an investigation into the lobster shipment theft, although no arrests have been reported at this time. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities in the supply chain, particularly as the holiday season approaches.

PORT STRIKE COULD AFFECT HOLIDAY SHOPPING AND SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS

Cooked lobsters sit on ice at Woodman’s on July 12, 2025. (Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Earlier this year, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) initiated Operation Boiling Point to combat organized retail crime. HSI estimates that cargo theft results in annual losses ranging from $15 to $35 billion. This operation aims to address the alarming rise in organized theft.

Josh Edgcombe, co-owner of SoPo Seafood, takes a lobster from the tank on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2022. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images / Getty Images)

US MUST TRANSFORM DEFENSE SUPPLY CHAIN INTO A ‘WEAPON ITSELF,’ EXPERT WARNS

HSI has indicated that organized theft groups frequently target cargo at various points, including ports of entry, truck stops, and freight trains. While these groups may not always be involved in organized retail crime, they often connect with fences who buy stolen goods.

In September, the Department of Transportation sought input from law enforcement, transportation agencies, and industry stakeholders to enhance protections against cargo theft in the U.S. supply chain.

Corey Morris measures a lobster while lobstering off the shore near Tenants Harbor Friday, June 24, 2016. The lobster was released. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images / Getty Images)

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

The growing concern over cargo theft is evident, with the U.S. transportation system facing significant economic losses annually. These crimes range from opportunistic thefts at truck stops to highly coordinated operations by organized criminal networks. Both types of theft disrupt supply chains and can fund broader illicit activities, including narcotics trafficking and human smuggling. The Department of Transportation’s request for information emphasizes the need for enhanced security measures to protect the supply chain.

As of now, Rexing Companies, the Illinois State Police, the FBI Chicago, FBI Minneapolis, and Costco have not provided comments regarding this incident.