Were winning lots of battles, but the war goes on
by Spring 2004 issue of E.J. Brooks Security Newsletter
Beware cargo crooks: Lt. Ed Petow and his TomCat friends are hot on your trail
While a young Edward M. Petow was cracking the books enroute to earning a degree in Criminology at Bostons Northeastern University, he was certain that he was learning everything known to mankind about the workings of the criminal mind. He was right as rain: that knowledge served him well in his first 16 years as a patrol and investigations officer with the Miami/Dade PD.
But there was more, much more, to learn after then-Lt. Ed Petow was assigned to Miami/Dades Criminal Investigations Division in 1988 to deal with a new genre of lawbreakers-- career criminals, organized crime, public corruption, racketeering and fraud investigations.
Now he is assigned to the Robbery Bureau where he supervises the renowned South FloridaTomCats (Miami/Dades CargoTheft/HijackingTask Force).
Many people say I should write a book because Ive dealt with every type of criminal activity, Ed said. If and when I do, Ill devote several chapters to cargo crime. You see a little bit of everything when chasing cargo thieves. There are the semi-trailer hijackers and those that break into containers, then there are the honest retail and distributor businessmen who turn merchandise into cash, about 30 cents on the dollar for the crooks. It amazes me when honest businesspersons tell me they did nothing wrong, that they didnt do the stealing. They really dont get it.
Some people think cargo crooks are ignorant, poor stiffs who barely made it out of sixth grade. Fact is, they are pretty smart. They are inquisitive, intuitive and creative. They develop low-tech ways to defeat high-tech deterrents, Ed says.
If I write my book, I wont detail the dozens of tricks cargo crooks use to steal from trucks and containers. That would just tempt another generation of thugs to try cargo theft, which in many ways is more lucrative and generates less jail time for getting caught than dealing drugs or armed robbery.
Lt. Edward M. Petow of Miami/Dade PD, supervisor of Cargo Theft/Hijacking Task Force
One of Eds favorite stories deals with repeat offenders. Remember the TV and newspaper accounts last month about the five Cuban refugees who journeyed to within 20 miles of the Florida coast in a Buick outfitted with steel drums for buoyancy and a propeller welded to the drive shaft? Fact is three of the five tried it years ago in a 1951 Chevy pickup. Hope they dont try it next year in a Hummer!
Cargo thieves, same thing. They get caught, do a little time, then go right back to it, time after time, Ed explains. Were winning lots of battles, but the war goes on. TomCats staff of 30 does a great job. They are pros from Miami/Dade PD, FBI, ICE, ATF, Florida DOT, Florida Highway Patrol, FDLE and Broward Sheriffs Office. We share everything in our Monday-morning staff meetings and this sharing goes a long way in staying ahead of the cargo crooks, Ed explains. Weve learned how thieves defeat security seals, locking devices and the doors, hasps and vertical/horizontal locking bars on container and trucks. Wed be glad to share what weve learned if it will help shippers and transportation companies who are not located where special units like TomCats, CargoCats or BadCats operate.
Ed is proud to have been an NCSC member for 8 years.I learn a lot from other members and the practical hints found on the web site and newsletter just gets better and better. The web reports on stolen trailers and containers is a valuable service to the industry. Im especially pleased with the Adopt-A-Cop program. Every police chief and sheriff from coast to coast will benefit from being an affiliate member, so I hope private-sector companies will sponsor their local law-enforcement agencies. Thats a solid community service for a cost of only $40.
Ed would be pleased to speak with anyone who could benefit from the collective experience of the 30 pros who comprise the Miami/Dade Cargo Security/Hijacking Task Force TomCats.
Reach Ed at or by e-mail at .
About Lt. Edward M. Petow
Edward M. Petow is a Lieutenant with the Miami-Dade Police Department. He has worked various patrol and investigative assignments during his 26 year career, and has been assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division since 1988. Lt. Petow has supervised units responsible for career criminal, organized crime, public corruption, racketeering and fraud investigations. He is currently assigned to the Robbery Bureau where he supervises the Cargo Theft/Hijacking Task Force. Lt. Petow is a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. NCSC Chairman David Jones submitted the name of Lt. Edward Petow to the NCSC Board of Directors for a 3-year term to replace a member who could not meet attendance requirements. The Boards vote for Lt. Petow was unanimous.