Thieves steal 3,000 pounds of crab as lorry driver sleeps

Thieves have stolen 3,000 pounds of frozen crab from a lorry in Philadelphia while its driver slept inside.

Six men raided the parked vehicle on Tuesday (27.10.26), loading boxes of snow crab into waiting vehicles before escaping in the early hours.

Driver Marty Muriuki was resting in his cab near Island Avenue when the movement of the trailer woke him.

He told NBC Philadelphia: "As I was dreaming, I felt the shaking and I wake up and I think 'Uh oh, I have some company.'"

When he looked outside, he saw several vehicles parked nearby and men removing his delivery from the back of the lorry.

Muriuki decided to confront them because he feared the missing shipment could cost him his job.

He told local broadcaster WPVI: "Hey, stop! That's enough! I don't want to lose my job."

One suspect reportedly offered him money, but another began charging towards him.

The driver ran towards a nearby hotel to get away from the group.

He later admitted he quickly realised confronting the thieves had put him in danger.

Muriuki, who has spent more than 30 years driving lorries, said he had never experienced anything like it.

Philadelphia police said the suspects fled in several vehicles, including a grey Ford F-150 pickup truck and a grey Dodge Caravan.

Investigators believe they took two pallets containing around 100 boxes of frozen snow crab, each weighing about 30 pounds.

The rest of the cargo was left in the trailer.

Officers were called to the 3400 block of Island Avenue shortly before 5am and began investigating the theft.

Detectives have been examining the area for surveillance footage that might help identify the men involved.

The unusual raid follows other food cargo thefts in Philadelphia.

Earlier this month, criminals reportedly stole about $40,000 worth of frozen ground beef from a trailer in the northeast of the city.

In September, another group took half a pallet of Black Angus beef ribs from a lorry in south Philadelphia.

Police say drivers who park overnight while waiting for morning delivery appointments can be targeted.

Investigators have not announced any arrests in the crab case, and are seeking information about the suspects.