Nvidia-Branded Trailers Stolen, Reveal 40,000 Pounds of Sand

Thieves hijacked two semi-trailers belonging to PlusAI, an autonomous-truck startup that displays both its own and Nvidia logos. The trailers were reported missing overnight on Thursday. A friend of a PlusAI executive spotted the units parked near another company’s office, prompting the startup to alert authorities. Fremont Police confirmed the theft, and Newark Police recovered both trailers later that afternoon. The case remains under investigation, and no arrests have been made.

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PlusAI uses the trailers to simulate cargo weight during real-world testing of its self-driving systems, which rely on Nvidia chips. Each trailer held approximately 20,000 pounds of sand to model how a fully loaded semi would react to road conditions.

TechSpot

The incident occurs amid a surge in thefts targeting expensive AI and data-center equipment. Supply-chain security firm Overhaul has tracked more than $150 million in AI-hardware losses to date and notes a 34 % rise in such thefts since 2024. Earlier incidents have involved GPUs, server switches, and even consumer electronics, underscoring the high value placed on AI components during the current data-center construction boom.

Thieves steal Nvidia-labeled trailers expecting massive AI GPU payday, but score 40,000 pounds of sand instead — crooks duped by 20 tons of ballast sand

Lauren Kwan said PlusAI suspects the Nvidia branding attracted the thieves and that the trailers appeared to have been opened but left undamaged. She added that the company has never experienced a similar incident in its ten-year history and is now reviewing additional security measures. Fremont Police reiterated that the investigation is ongoing and that no arrests have been made. Nvidia declined to comment when contacted.

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• “PlusAI uses simulated loads in its trailers to assist with research and development testing,” — Lauren Kwan, company spokesperson

TechSpot

• “This case remains under investigation, and no one has been arrested as of now,” — Fremont Police

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