Burning I-95 Car Found With Meat After Philadelphia Beef Theft

A Dodge Journey was found burning on Interstate 95 near the Aramingo Avenue exit shortly before 5 a.m. on October 29. After firefighters put out the blaze, they found piles of smoking meat inside. More boxes had been thrown from the highway onto train tracks below, and investigators said the boxes matched those taken from a tractor-trailer in Wissinoming earlier that morning.

Police said thieves cut the truck’s rear padlock and took five pallets of frozen beef, valued at about $10,000, from Devereaux Street at around 4 a.m. The driver, who had been asleep in the cab, woke to people removing the cargo and recorded video showing three vehicles at the scene. Police were searching for two dark-colored SUVs and a dark gray sedan.

Northeast Detectives Capt. John Ryan said investigators had not established a link between the car and the theft, though he thought the same crew was likely involved. The investigation is ongoing, and police have asked anyone with information to call 215-686-3153 or 911.

The theft was one of several cargo thefts in Philadelphia in the past month. On October 27, thieves took 3,000 pounds of snow crab legs off an Island Avenue truck; earlier in October, thieves took more than $40,000 worth of beef. Police are increasing patrols where truckers park and urging trucking companies to use hardened steel locks and drivers to choose well-lit parking areas.