In Philadelphia, a recent spate of cargo thefts targeting trucks has continued, with the latest incident occurring overnight when drivers were most vulnerable.

On the night of Wednesday, April 10, a theft was reported from a refrigerated truck parked on the Northside along Charter Road. The truck driver, who was asleep in his cab, was startled awake by the motion of his trailer as thieves stole 56 cases of pork, valued at over $12,000.

Authorities noted that the thieves escaped in a silver Lexus SUV, suggesting it was one of multiple vehicles possibly involved in the theft. Despite ongoing investigations, no suspects had been apprehended as of Friday afternoon, April 12.

This incident is part of a troubling pattern in Philadelphia, with this being the 37th cargo theft reported this year, many of which have taken place during the night as drivers rested ahead of morning deliveries.

“The drivers are often asleep during these thefts, and the noise from the refrigerated trucks doesn’t help,” said Captain Jack Ryan from the Philadelphia Police Department to ABC6 News.

Other recent thefts include a haul of bourbon and seafood stolen last month from trailers, and in January, four pallets of frozen meat worth approximately $20,000 disappeared from a similarly parked vehicle.

The frequency of these thefts highlights the acute shortage of secure parking for trucks in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Transportation Advisory Committee reports a deficit of approximately 4,400 truck parking spaces statewide, leading to about 1,100 trucks parking on highway shoulders and ramps each night.

In response to this critical issue, the committee recently endorsed HR236, a bill introduced by Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, which mandates a detailed study of truck parking in the state. “This study aims to provide recommendations to ensure that drivers have access to safe parking spaces where they can rest properly, which is vital for their safety and well-being,” stated Rep. Heffley.

Currently, there are about 11,600 truck parking spaces listed in Pennsylvania, located at private truck stops, service plazas on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and PennDOT rest areas and welcome centers. The study, as advocated by Heffley, aims to significantly improve this infrastructure.