MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Police Department is searching for three men responsible for breaking into a tractor-trailer and punching a truck driver in the face last week.

The MPD says on June 13, around 7:46 a.m., a semi-truck was parked and dropping off a load at a business located at 3399 Raines Road in Oakhaven.

Officers were told that while the victim was parked, a black Nissan Altima with no tags drove up to the back of the trailer. A man exited the car with a cutting grinder and cut the lock.

A second man drove up to the trailer in a silver Infiniti G50 sedan with unknown tags, exited the vehicle, and helped the first suspect take boxes from the truck.

A third suspect then acted as a lookout for the group.

Police say that when the truck driver realized what the suspects were doing, he got out of his truck and tried to stop them from leaving with the merchandise. One of the suspects then punched him in the face and continued taking boxes.

According to the police report, the thieves took various lamps, but the value of the items was unknown.

The driver, who was with a trucking company out of Knoxville, was treated on the scene for a cut and bruises to his left eye.

The suspects did not leave the area until the truck driver got back into his semi and drove off.

The incident is part of a larger problem in Memphis, as the Bluff City has been identified as a hotspot for cargo theft.

This is according to Jeremy Baker, the Assistant Special Agent in charge of the FBI’s Memphis Field Office.

Baker spoke with WREG’s Alex Coleman in May and said many of these thefts come from insiders.

“And we do see insiders, unfortunately, that are oftentimes committing these [crimes],” Baker said. “Warehouses, trucking firms, things like that – So, I think it’s a good reminder for the business owners and operators to be vigilant.”