Beef bandits make off with 400 cases of meat after cargo truck heist in Southwest Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Another cargo truck has been targeted by thieves in Philadelphia.
This time, bandits made off with $15,000 worth of beef from a truck parked in Southwest Philadelphia.
Police believe the suspects are part of a crime ring responsible for similar robberies dating back to last year.
Investigators said the thieves struck around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday and broke into a cargo trailer, swiping 200 cases of oxtail.
The owner of Bradway Trucking, Andrew Bradway, told Action News the driver was sleeping in the truck sleeper when the criminals pounced.
A witness saw the theft unfold on the 2800 block of S. 63rd Street and called police.
The witness reported a Dodge Durango and a white SUV fleeing the scene.
The driver did not know the theft occurred until police arrived.
"It's definitely a crime ring," said Captain Jack Ryan with Northeast Detectives. "We've made arrests of members of this group. We believe it's the same group that's still working - it's just widespread."
In April of 2023, four men stole more than $200,000 worth of dimes from a cargo truck.
The men now face federal charges. Police are investigating if a rash of recent thefts are connected to the group.
Police said there have been 11 thefts or attempted thefts of cargo from trucks during the past three weeks.
They're now working with state and federal authorities.
"Most of the items taken are frozen meats. One of the cases in South Philadelphia, on South 3rd Street, the driver confronted the thieves who then displayed a firearm and threw him on ground. Fortunately, he wasn't injured," said Captain Ryan.
Two similar thefts occurred on the 2700 hundred block of Red Lion Road and the 9300 block of Ashton Road in the Northeast on Monday.
Police said in those cases, the drivers were either sleeping inside the cab or parked the cargo and returned to find their haul stolen.
"They got the loud refrigeration units running keeping everything cold. Its hard for the driver to hear, they are 40 yards away. It's a long full size tractor-trailer," added Captain Ryan.
Bradway Trucking told Action News that it's unfortunate that trucking companies are targets.
The company, based in Vineland, New Jersey, hauls refrigerated freight up and down the East Coast.
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