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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Metro says thieves in the Valley are stepping up their game, and going for super-sized scores.

Police said they have stolen whole trailers and semi-trucks full of merchandise. Authorities recently uncovered $250,000 of stolen goods.

Cargo theft is the costliest crime in America, according to the FBI.

It happens nearly three times a day somewhere in America, and Metro police say it's becoming a growing problem in Southern Nevada.

Police say four men were caught brazenly stealing a fully-loaded truck from a Target store parking lot. 

"This is their MO. They steal a truck and trailer, then take it somewhere and unload it," said one Metro officer involved in the case.

The undercover Metro detective leading the case said investigators were on to the crew after they struck before at local casinos and truck stops.

"Some days they drive to ten different truck stops, two or three times a day, look for the right trailer to steal." 

The suspects hit the jackpot with the Target semi-truck, which police said was carrying nearly $250,000 worth of merchandise.

Pictures show everything from toys and electronics to food and cleaning supplies inside the stolen truck.

Investigators said the criminals were planning to sell the stolen goods at their own makeshift storefront near Craig and Pecos.

"What we found is that they were setting up a discount warehouse store," 

Metro said this case is a result of people getting desperate in tough times.

"We found through our investigation that a lot of these guys used to be truckers, and used to work either self-contract or work for a company, and as the economy got worse and they weren't driving, they decided to go out on their own."

Police believe there are other people tied to this crime, and say it's an ongoing investigation.

A special team of officers from various jurisdictions is working to solve more of these cases.