Thieves Steal 10000 Dollars in Beef From Philadelphia Truck

A group of thieves stole approximately $10,000 worth of beef from a parked tractor-trailer in Northeast Philadelphia at around 4 a.m. Thursday, according to police. The incident occurred on the 5200 block of Devereaux Street in the Wissinoming neighborhood, where surveillance cameras recorded suspects loading boxes of meat into multiple vehicles.

Surveillance footage obtained by Action News shows the operation beginning before dawn. Investigators said the suspects used bolt cutters to break the truck's padlock before removing the cargo.

The first vehicle arrived at approximately 3:35 a.m. More than half a dozen additional cars appeared minutes later. The theft continued for nearly 25 minutes, according to the surveillance footage.

The truck driver had arrived at approximately 9 p.m. Wednesday and parked near Devereaux and Milnor streets. He told Action News that he planned to rest before making his scheduled delivery at 6 a.m.

"And decided to take a few hours nap to make my delivery at 6," said the driver, who requested anonymity.

The driver said his alarm sounded at 4 a.m. He then noticed the truck moving and realized something was happening. He remained inside, attempted to move the vehicle forward and eventually contacted 911.

"My alarm went off at 4. I got up, and right as soon as I got up, I noticed the truck was moving, so I wasn't sure what was going on," the driver said.

Footage shows suspects dropping some boxes and fleeing in the remaining vehicles as an officer approached. One SUV nearly collided with another vehicle before driving over a box of meat while escaping.

Police recovered some of the stolen meat left on the street and released photographs of three vehicles believed to be connected to the theft.

The incident marks the fourth food cargo theft reported in Philadelphia within one month. The four incidents involved nearly $55,000 worth of stolen food, according to Action News.

Capt. John Ryan, commanding officer of Northeast Detectives, said investigators were examining whether the incidents involved the same group.

"It's likely the same crew. We haven't made the connection yet," Ryan said.

The latest theft followed another incident around 4 a.m. Tuesday on the 3600 block of Island Avenue. Investigators are also examining whether stolen meat is being sold through secondary markets.

During an exchange with Action News reporter Corey Davis, Ryan addressed the possibility that the stolen products were intended for resale.

"Do you know if they sell these on the secondary market?" Davis asked detectives.

Ryan pointed to the substantial quantity involved in another theft, which included five pallets of meat.

"Well, I'm sure It's not for personal consumption with the sheer volume of the five pallets. It's an enormous amount of meat," Ryan said.

Philadelphia investigators are encouraging trucking companies and private contractors to install hardened steel locks to make cargo theft more difficult. Police are also increasing patrols in areas commonly used by truck drivers for overnight parking and advising drivers to choose well-lit locations.