Philadelphia police are searching for suspects after thieves targeted a parked tractor-trailer early Thursday, making off with five pallets of beef valued at approximately $10,000, abc7news.com reported.
The cargo theft occurred at roughly 4 a.m. when culprits cut through a padlock on the vehicle while the driver was asleep inside, according to investigators. The driver reported that the truck began shaking during the incident.
“I check out the window, and I saw a bunch of guys moving and all, so my first instinct was to stop the truck and move out. And I noticed my door was open, and that’s when I knew, well, there’s nothing I could do,” the driver said.
Driver Captures Getaway Vehicles on Cellphone
Following the early morning theft, the driver managed to capture cellphone footage of the suspect vehicles involved in the getaway. Investigators noted that the vehicles were described as a dark gray Nissan sedan and two utility vehicles.
The latest incident adds to a string of recent cargo thefts across the city. On Tuesday, 3,000 pounds of crab legs were taken from a semi in Southwest Philadelphia. Earlier in the month, thieves made off with more than $40,000 worth of beef from a truck in Northeast Philadelphia, following a separate beef theft in South Philadelphia in late September.
Police Advise Trucking Companies to Improve Security
In response to the recurring thefts, police are advising trucking companies to implement additional security measures. Law enforcement officials recommend using hardened steel locks to help delay thieves, alongside parking in areas that are well-lit and more public.
Authorities confirmed that the investigation into Thursday’s beef theft remains ongoing.
