Police search for meat thieves who made off with $15,000 worth of beef

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police are investigating a rash of thefts and robberies across the city they say have targeted cargo trucks carrying meat. Investigators count nine such robberies and two attempts since June 26.

The most recent happened just Tuesday, when at least 40 cases of beef, worth an estimated total of $15,000, were stolen from a truck in Southwest Philadelphia near 63rd Street and Eastwick Avenue when the driver stepped away.

“He returned this morning, noticed the truck was tampered with and that the items were missing,” said Northeast Detectives Capt. Jack Ryan.

Police are searching for the people responsible.

Ryan says, in a number of incidents, vehicles were left similarly unattended, and drivers discovered the missing meat the next morning. But sometimes the drivers are with their cargo when they are robbed.

“In some instances, they were sleeping in the cab,” Ryan said.

No one was harmed in the robbery Tuesday, but that’s not always the case, said Ryan. He described a prior incident involving a gun.

“The guy lifted his shirt, displayed a firearm. He ended up getting thrown on the ground. They eventually fled,” Ryan said.

He says he believes the thieves are taking meat “because it’s easily resalable.” And he says the thefts are part of a bigger operation.

“It’s definitely a crime ring, a group of people. We’ve made arrest of members of this group. We believe it’s the same group that’s still working, which is widespread.”

Ryan says prior thefts have led to arrests and indictments. Philadelphia police are working with state partners, including the state attorney general’s office, and some federal partners.

Anyone with information about the thefts is encouraged to contact Philadelphia Police Department.