Police investigating cargo theft spree targeting tractor-trailers

A group of thieves has been on a prolific burglary spree targeting tractor-trailers and other cargo vehicles, apparently in search of frozen meat, Philadelphia police said Monday.

Since June 26, there have been nine thefts and two attempted break-ins, said Captain John Ryan, of the Northeast Detective Division. Most recently, on Tuesday morning, suspects swiped cases of beef worth an estimated $15,000 from a truck parked in Southwest Philadelphia, investigators said.

“It’s definitely a crime ring, a group of people,” Ryan told reporters. “We’ve made arrests of members of this group. We believe it’s the same group. We’re still working. It’s just widespread. There have been indictments. We’re working with federal and other state partners.”

Burglaries have been reported throughout the city, though many have occurred in the Far Northeast, particularly along Ashton and Bluegrass roads, according to Ryan.

In one case, on 3rd Street in deep South Philadelphia, a driver who had been asleep in the cab confronted the thieves, and one of the suspects lifted his shirt to display a handgun, he said. The victim was then thrown to the ground, but he was not seriously injured, Ryan added.

A detailed description of the crew was not available Tuesday, and police have not released any surveillance images or video. The male suspects have been spotted traveling in a white SUV, Ryan said.

In some cases, the drivers were present, sleeping in the tractor-trailer’s cab, detectives said. Other times, the cargo was left unattended. Ryan said the victims have usually been parked near food distribution centers in advance of deliveries.

He said investigators have not uncovered the secondary markets where the thieves are presumably offloading the stolen goods.

Detectives believe the group behind the thefts could be connected to the infamous April 2023 dime heist near Philadelphia Mills Mall. In that instance, suspects got away with more than $230,000 in coins from the U.S. Mint. Four men are currently facing federal criminal charges in the case.

Anyone with information about the cargo thefts is asked to contact the PPD’s Northeast Detective Division at 215-686-3153 or call or text 215-686-TIPS (8477).