Trucking News · Pennsylvania · October 30, 2026

Thieves Spend Nearly 25 Minutes Taking $10,000 in Beef From a Philadelphia Trailer While the Truck Driver Napped Inside

By Big Rig Daily Staff

Thieves spent nearly 25 minutes unloading beef from a tractor-trailer in Northeast Philadelphia while the truck driver slept in the cab, according to ATruckDrivers, which cited local media and Philadelphia police. About $10,000 worth of beef was taken early Thursday, Oct. 29, in the Wissinoming section. Police say it is the fourth food cargo theft in the city within a month. No arrests were reported.

What the video shows

The truck driver, who did not want to be identified, said he arrived around 9 p.m. Wednesday and planned a short nap before a 6 a.m. delivery. "And decided to take a few hours nap to make my delivery at 6," he said.

Surveillance video obtained by Action News shows the first vehicle arriving around 3:35 a.m., ATruckDrivers reported. Investigators said the suspects cut the padlock. More than half a dozen cars arrived minutes later, and the theft lasted nearly 25 minutes, with people carrying boxes of meat over their heads and on their shoulders to the vehicles.

Reports differ on the exact time and block. ATruckDrivers put the theft at about 4 a.m. in the 5200 block of Devereaux Street, while CDL Life, citing 6abc, said it happened just after 5 a.m. in the 6200 block of Milnor Street.

What the trucker did

"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. He stayed in the truck, tried to move forward and called 911 several minutes later. CDL Life reported that he noticed vehicles outside but could not get a good look at the suspects.

The suspects dropped boxes and left in the remaining vehicles before an officer arrived, ATruckDrivers reported. Police released photos of three of the vehicles.

A string of cargo thefts

Police say this is the fourth cargo theft in Philadelphia in a month. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, thieves took 3,000 pounds of frozen snow crab from a truck in Southwest Philadelphia. Earlier in October, suspects took more than $40,000 worth of beef from a truck in Northeast Philadelphia, after a late September beef theft in South Philadelphia. Police say the thefts add up to nearly $55,000 in stolen food.

Capt. John Ryan, commanding officer of Northeast Detectives, said, "It's likely the same crew. We haven't made the connection yet." He added, "I'm sure it's not for personal consumption with the sheer volume of the five pallets. It's an enormous amount of meat."

What police advise

Investigators urged trucking companies and private contractors to use hardened steel locks to at least slow thieves down. Police are increasing patrols in areas where truckers usually park and advise choosing well lit areas.

Update, Nov. 1, 2026: a source told 6abc that a burning car on I-95 may be tied to this theft. Police have not confirmed a link. See the burning car report.

Quick facts

• Where: Wissinoming section, Northeast Philadelphia.
• When: Early Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026.
• What was taken: about $10,000 worth of beef, five pallets by the captain's count.
• Duration: nearly 25 minutes, per surveillance video.
• Related: the fourth food cargo theft in the city in a month, nearly $55,000 in total, police say.

Big Rig Daily has also covered the Philadelphia snow crab theft while a truck driver slept. For safer places to rest, see the guide to truck parking tips and apps.

A question for readers

Should receivers let truckers park on site the night before an early appointment?

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