The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
Authorities in New Jersey have arrested four individuals from Philadelphia in connection with an organized cargo theft ring that targeted tractor-trailers parked at service areas along the New Jersey Turnpike. The arrests are part of “Operation Beef Bandit,” a two-month investigation led by criminal investigators aimed at stopping a crew believed to be responsible for nine burglaries.
For several months, the group has allegedly targeted tractor-trailers parked overnight at rest stops while drivers were asleep. They are accused of breaking into the trailers and stealing high-value items, including meat, alcohol, and seafood. In some cases, the thieves used bolt cutters to bypass larger locks on trailers, which led the authorities to suspect the thefts were planned and not random.
According to police, the same crew is believed to have stolen millions of dollars worth of goods over the past three years. The incidents spanned the tri-state area, including Philadelphia, suggesting a broad scope of operation and the potential involvement in a larger network of thefts.