A cargo theft ring stole over $1.5 million around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, targeting parked tractor-trailers. Members hauled away frozen crab legs, televisions and newly minted dimes. One robbery left the driver injured. Haneef Palmer received 121 months behind bars for his role.
The crew operated from January through July 2023, according to federal prosecutors. Thieves approached unattended trailers overnight or struck while drivers slept. They broke into cargo areas using bolt cutters. Participants offered those goods for sale locally.
Robbery and stolen dimes
Palmer admitted joining an April 1, 2023, robbery involving commercial refrigerators. During that crime, participants “attacked and injured the driver,” DOJ wrote. Twelve days later, thieves stole more than $230,000 worth of dimes. His guilty plea covered both incidents.
FreightWaves previously reported that freshly minted coins left Philadelphia’s Mint bound for Florida. Crew members used large trash cans to transfer dimes into waiting vehicles. Thousands littered the parking lot afterward. Investigators later recovered more inside a box truck.
Phone records, group chats, surveillance footage and GPS information helped authorities reconstruct events. One conspirator wrote, “We made it!” after news coverage appeared. Another image showed someone lying among stolen dimes inside a pickup truck. Bank cameras recorded deposits involving thousands of coins.
The court outcome
Federal prosecutors announced Palmer’s sentence Sept. 10. Chief District Judge Wendy Beetlestone also ordered $1,080,786.44 in restitution. Her ruling includes three years of supervised release. Officials identified the 33-year-old Philadelphia resident by his alias, “Lew.”
Palmer pleaded guilty during March 2026 following a December 2024 superseding indictment. His convictions included conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, government money offenses, plus five counts involving theft from interstate shipments. He also admitted possessing stolen freight. FBI agents investigated alongside Philadelphia police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Bowerman and Christopher Diviny prosecuted the case.
FreightWaves covered the same ring June 25 after Salahudin Reddy received a 94-month prison sentence. His case included two crab leg thefts during April 2023. Another incident involved Samsung televisions worth over $360,000. Together, participants stole merchandise from more than 10 victims.
Why It Matters
These thefts show how parked semis can expose drivers to physical danger. For transportation professionals, cargo security must address personal safety alongside shipment protection.
Click here for more articles on cargo theft and freight fraud by Phil Brink.
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