NJ Cargo Theft: Four Arrested and Accused in Link to Crime Ring

Four Men Arrested for Stealing Meat and Seafood on N.J. Turnpike

NJ.com reports that four men from Philadelphia were recently arrested for allegedly running a theft ring that stole from parked trucks along the New Jersey Turnpike. New Jersey State Police said the group had been involved in stealing millions of dollars’ worth of goods over the past three years. The items stolen included meat, seafood, and alcohol. The thefts didn’t just happen in New Jersey but also in nearby states.

How the Cargo Theft Arrests Happened

The arrests occurred early last Friday morning at the Molly Pitcher Service Area in Cranbury, New Jersey. State Police were watching over parked trucks when they saw four men trying to break into a truck to steal meat. It was around 1:25 a.m.

Troopers quickly arrested one man, Hanif Tucker, right at the scene. Another man, Shaun Coleman, ran but was caught after a short chase. The two other men, Rashan Clark-Reddy and Salahudin Reddy, tried to drive away in a stolen car. While fleeing, they crashed into an unmarked police vehicle. After a brief chase, they were also arrested.

Charges Against the Suspects

All four men now face charges. Coleman, 23, has been charged with possessing stolen goods, having burglary tools, damaging property, and conspiracy to steal cargo. Tucker, 31, faces the same charges, with the addition of burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary. Clark-Reddy, 26, was also charged with running from the police, possession of a stolen vehicle, and assaulting a police officer. Salahudin Reddy, 37, was charged with resisting arrest and other charges related to theft and damaging property.

The men are being held in the Middlesex County jail. Information about their lawyers hasn’t been made available.

Could This Group Be Linked to Other Cargo Theft?

These arrests follow another theft earlier this month. In that case, $305,000 worth of seafood was stolen from a parked truck in Middlesex Borough. Local police are aware of the recent arrests and are working with State Police. However, they haven’t confirmed if this same group committed the earlier theft.

This group is believed to have been responsible for many similar crimes over the past three years, taking expensive items like food and alcohol. The value of the stolen goods is thought to be in the millions.

The Effects of Cargo Theft on Truckers

Cargo theft is a big problem for the trucking industry. It doesn’t just involve the loss of goods. It can also lead to delays, damage to property, and higher insurance costs for trucking companies. This adds stress for truck drivers, who already have demanding jobs.

Truckers try to take steps to protect their loads, like parking in safe areas and using locks, but theft can still happen. Police are trying to do more to stop these crimes, especially in areas like the New Jersey Turnpike, which sees a lot of traffic.