Six men steal about 3,000 pounds of frozen snow crab from truck in Southwest Philadelphia, police say

Police are searching for six men accused of taking roughly 3,000 pounds of frozen snow crab from a tractor-trailer early Tuesday as its driver slept in the cab in Southwest Philadelphia.

The theft took place on Island Avenue, police said. CBS Philadelphia, FOX 29 and NBC10 located it on the 3400 block, while 6abc said it was the 3600 block. The reported timing also differed somewhat. NBC10 cited 4:57 a.m., CBS Philadelphia and FOX 29 said it was a little before 5 a.m., and 6abc said it was around 4 a.m.

According to police, the driver was woken by noises near his truck. CBS Philadelphia reported that he glanced out a window and spotted six men carrying off boxes of crab. 6abc said he watched the men load the cases into a pickup.

The driver stepped out to confront them, and one of the men ran after him along the street, several outlets reported, citing police.

The group escaped with two pallets of the seafood. FOX 29 and CBS Philadelphia said the pallets each carried 50 boxes of 30 pounds, or about 100 boxes altogether. All four outlets put the total at about 3,000 pounds.

The men drove off using more than one vehicle, police said. Among them were a gray Dodge Caravan minivan and a gray Ford F-150 pickup.

FOX 29 and NBC10 reported that police described two of the men. One stood about 5 feet 8 inches and wore all black. The second was roughly 5 feet 6 inches, about 180 pounds, and dressed in dark clothes. No arrests had been reported.

6abc reported that Southwest Detectives are leading the case. FOX 29 said anyone with information should reach out to the Philadelphia Police Department.

The crab theft came weeks after a separate cargo theft elsewhere in the city. CBS Philadelphia reported that masked thieves earlier this month made off with roughly five pallets' worth of beef from a big rig in Northeast Philadelphia, then left in a Jeep and a Ford F-150, according to police. Police have not said whether the two cases are linked.

CBS Philadelphia also reported that, according to police, thieves often go after drivers who sleep in their trucks while waiting for early delivery appointments.

Compiled by True News from reporting by CBS Philadelphia, FOX 29 Philadelphia, 6abc Action News and NBC10 Philadelphia. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/510