Six pallets of NVIDIA computer hardware worth a reported $11.4 million disappeared during a shipment from California to Texas. A truck collected the merchandise in Oakland on Aug. 29 for delivery to Fort Worth. Investigators reportedly tracked the vehicle through several extended stops before losing its trail in Southern California. The Oakland Police Department confirmed an ongoing grand theft investigation following a complaint filed Sept. 13, 2026. The disappearance comes amid reports of nearly $111 million in stolen data center freight involving other high-value technology shipments.
According to The Mercury News, the vehicle displayed a food transportation company’s logo during the scheduled pickup. The driver subsequently traveled south, making several stops lasting multiple hours. Investigators eventually lost track of the truck in San Bernardino County. A separate $12 million cargo theft investigation involved suspects who allegedly exploited established trucking identities to obtain freight. Authorities have not linked the two investigations.
Oakland police confirm investigation
The Oakland Police Department provided FreightWaves with the following statement:
“The Oakland Police Department (OPD) is investigating a grand theft that occurred in East Oakland. The victim reported the crime to OPD on September 13, 2026. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact the OPD General Crimes Unit at (510) 238-3728.”
The Sept. 13 complaint date does not establish when the theft occurred. Police have not confirmed the reported $11.4 million valuation or identified the specific merchandise. Authorities also have not identified the cargo’s owner, shipper, motor carrier or driver. Investigators have not publicly explained the vehicle’s extended stops or established whether criminals impersonated a transportation provider. Police have not announced arrests or confirmed any recovery of the merchandise. FreightWaves contacted NVIDIA for comment and followed up, but the company has not responded.
Previous thefts involving NVIDIA products
The Oakland investigation follows other significant thefts involving NVIDIA merchandise in Northern California. During 2025, Fremont and Union City police investigated burglaries involving more than $7.5 million in NVIDIA products. Those incidents targeted valuable computer hardware at separate locations. Authorities have not established any connection between those investigations and the latest disappearance.
In a separate September incident, thieves stole two PlusAI trailers, including one displaying NVIDIA branding, from a Fremont, California, warehouse. The trailers contained approximately 40,000 pounds of sand rather than NVIDIA hardware. Police recovered both trailers in nearby Newark. Investigators have not established any connection between that theft and the Oakland case.
Why it matters
The reported disappearance of $11.4 million in NVIDIA hardware underscores the financial stakes of transporting high-value freight. Regardless of how this shipment disappeared, carrier verification, shipment visibility and communication remain critical throughout transportation.
Click here for more articles on cargo theft and freight fraud by Phil Brink.
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