Cargo Theft in Philadelphia: Beef Stolen From a Parked Trailer

What happened

Cargo theft from a parked trailer struck again in Philadelphia. Three men broke into a trailer early Tuesday and drove off with four pallets of ground beef, CDLLife reported.

Here is what we know:

• When: around 3:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
• Where: Southampton Road, in Northeast Philadelphia.
• How: the three men broke the seal on the trailer. Then they loaded the beef into three cars.
• The getaway cars: a dark Ford Fusion, a white Ford Fusion and a black Ford SUV.
• The case: police are investigating. No arrests were reported. The value of the beef was not given.

CDLLife called it yet another theft of four pallets of beef from a parked semi in Philadelphia. In other words, this is not the first time.

What it means for owner-operators

This kind of theft does not need a big crew or a stolen truck. Three people and three regular cars were enough. They picked a trailer that was parked, at night, with no one watching.

Food loads like beef are easy to sell fast. That makes reefer loads a target, even in small amounts. Four pallets may not sound like much. But a broken seal and missing freight can mean a claim, an unhappy shipper and lost time while it all gets sorted out.

The danger is the same in any city. Thieves look for the easy trailer: parked on a street, dark, with only a plastic seal on the doors.

What to do next

• Park smart. Use a fenced, lit lot with cameras when you can. Avoid parking a loaded trailer on the street overnight.
• Lock more than the seal. A seal shows if someone opened the doors. It does not stop them. Add a strong door lock or a king pin lock.
• Snap the seal. Take a photo of the seal number at pickup and after every stop.
• Do not leave the load alone long. Plan stops so a loaded trailer sits as little as possible.
• Report fast. If you find a broken seal, call the police and your broker right away. Write down the time and place.
• Check your cargo coverage. Know what your cargo policy covers for theft from a parked unit, and what it asks you to do. Our trucking insurance coverage guide explains cargo coverage in simple words.

A few extra minutes when you park can keep your load where it belongs.