Trending Now - Massive Heist: 12 Tonnes of F1 Merchandise Taken in Europe

WHO:

racingnews365.com - Nestlé is the company involved in the theft of the merchandise.

The New York Times - A spokesperson for Nestlé confirmed the details of the incident.

WHAT:

racingnews365.com - Thieves stole approximately 12 tonnes of KitKat chocolate Formula 1 cars.

The New York Times - The stolen truck was carrying 413,793 units of KitKat’s “new chocolate range.”

The New York Times - The theft is linked to a wider trend of freight hijackings and cargo theft.

WHERE:

racingnews365.com - The truck started its journey in Italy and was traveling to Poland.

The New York Times - The anticipated route covered around 776 to 838 miles through Europe.

WHEN:

The New York Times - The theft occurred sometime between the truck leaving production and reaching distribution locations.

The New York Times - KitKat became F1’s official chocolate bar in 2025, with the partnership continuing into 2026.

WHY:

racingnews365.com - The spokesperson stated that cargo theft is an escalating issue for businesses of all sizes.

The New York Times - The theft follows a report from the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) and the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) EMEA, which highlighted an increase in cargo theft and freight fraud.

HOW:

The New York Times - The stolen product can be traced via a unique batch code tied to individual KitKat bars.

(UPDATED March 29, 2026 23:05 UTC)

Thieves have stolen approximately 12 tonnes of KitKat chocolate Formula 1 cars from a truck that was traveling from Italy to Poland, carrying nearly 414,000 units of the brand's new chocolate range. A spokesperson for Nestlé confirmed the incident and noted that this theft is part of a growing trend of cargo theft and freight hijackings affecting businesses of all sizes. The stolen products can be traced through a unique batch code associated with individual KitKat bars, highlighting the seriousness of this escalating issue.