by Alex Lloyd Gross
Cargo theft from parked tractor trailers has become an epidemic in this area. Police announced that three males have been caught allegedly stealing 1600 pounds of meat from the back of a truck that was parked. The theft happened this week on the 7300 block of Edmund Street.
Arrested were Douglas Mathis, Jamir Scott, and Tariq Duncan. The males,all wearing dark clothing and masks, were witnessed breaking a lock on the tractor trailer and carrying 25 cases of beef — valued at $7,000 — from the rig to their van.
All three were charged with corrupt organizations, theft, and related offenses. At arraignments Tuesday, bail for each was set at $200,000 cash.
The cargo theft epidemic was so bad, a task force was started to catch thieves in the act and develop information to prevent others.It was called “Operation Beef Bandit”.
“This was tenacious investigative work that involved collaboration between law enforcement agencies to stop high-value thefts from parked tractor trailers,” Attorney General Henry said. “I commend the timely work of our Organized Crime Section who tracked this crew and, essentially, caught them in the act.”
Law enforcement recently announced initial arrests from the “Operation Beef Bandit” investigation, which was led by New Jersey State Police. Office of Attorney General agents and Philadelphia Police Department worked with New Jersey officials to track down the three men arrested Tuesday.