Trucking News · Pennsylvania · October 28, 2026

Thieves Take 3,000 Pounds of Frozen Snow Crab From a Philadelphia Trailer While the Truck Driver Slept

By Big Rig Daily Staff

A truck driver who parked to sleep in Southwest Philadelphia woke up to find six men taking boxes of frozen snow crab out of his trailer, police say. The theft happened early Tuesday, Oct. 27, and about 3,000 pounds of crab was taken, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. No arrests had been announced as of that afternoon.

What police say happened

The trucker told police he parked on the 3400 block of Island Avenue shortly before 2 a.m. to sleep before making a delivery to a seafood wholesaler later that morning, the Inquirer reported. He said movement in the back of the trailer woke him, and when he got out he found six men removing boxes of frozen seafood.

One of the men chased him down the street, police said. The group loaded two pallets, each holding 50 boxes of about 30 pounds, into a gray Ford F-150 and a gray Dodge Caravan and left. The Inquirer reported that the thieves left the rest of the cargo in the trailer.

Times differ between reports. The Inquirer said the driver told police he woke at 3:34 a.m., while CBS Philadelphia said police were called just before 5 a.m. NBC10 put the time at about 4:57 a.m.

What the trucker said

The trucker told NBC10 that he parked there after not finding an overnight lot and thought the area was safe. "I find out real quick, I'm in the wrong place," he said. "I was not trying to be a hero."

What investigators are doing

Police recovered evidence from the scene and were canvassing the area for surveillance video, Police Capt. Joseph Busa said Tuesday afternoon. Busa said it is too early to tell whether the theft is connected to other recent cargo thefts. "Thankfully, this driver is safe, that's the most important thing," Busa told FOX 29.

Other cargo thefts in the city

The Inquirer and FOX 29 listed several recent cases in Philadelphia:

• October: about $40,000 worth of frozen ground beef was taken from a trailer in Northeast Philadelphia, the Inquirer reported.
• September: thieves in South Philadelphia took half a pallet of Black Angus beef ribs, the Inquirer reported.
• March 31: a crew stole 500 pounds of snow crab on the 6100 block of Island Avenue, according to Southwest Detectives, as FOX 29 reported.

CBS Philadelphia reported that police say sleeping truck drivers are often targeted while they wait for their appointed delivery time in the morning. One trucker told FOX 29 that after several break-ins over four years of parking in Philadelphia, he now pulls his tractor directly up to the back of his trailer when he leaves it for a long period, to block access.

Quick facts

• Where: 3400 block of Island Avenue, Southwest Philadelphia.
• When: Early Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.
• What was taken: Two pallets of frozen snow crab, about 3,000 pounds (1.5 tons).
• Suspects: Six men, who left in a gray Ford F-150 and a gray Dodge Caravan.
• Status: Investigation ongoing; no arrests announced as of Tuesday afternoon.

Big Rig Daily has also covered how thieves used deception to take more than $150 million in AI equipment and $963,000 in trading cards stolen from a FedEx truck. For safer places to rest, see the guide to truck parking tips and apps and the Pennsylvania truck stop and weigh station map.

A question for readers

When you arrive early for a morning delivery, where do you park, and what makes you feel safe there?

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