'Beef Bandits' Caught Stealing Meat, Alcohol From NJ Rest Stops: Cops

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — Four men who were part of an organized cargo theft ring that stole boxed meat, seafood and alcohol were nabbed at a service station in Middlesex County, New Jersey State Police said.

Shaun Coleman, 23, Salahudin Reddy, 37, Hanif Tucker, 31, and Rashan Clark-Reddy, 26, all of Philadelphia, PA, were charged with receiving stolen property, possession of burglary tools and other offenses.

The men would steal meat, seafood and alcohol from trailers parked at service areas along the NJ Turnpike, NJSP said. They were responsible for nine such burglaries, authorities said.

For the past two months, NJSP’ s Troop “D” Criminal Investigations Office led “Operation Beef Bandit.”

The incidents involved break-ins to parked and often occupied trailers, with the suspects stealing high-value goods such as meat, alcohol, and seafood.

This crew has been connected to similar thefts over the past three years across the tri-state area, amassing millions of dollars in stolen merchandise during that time, NJSP said.

Around 1:25 a.m. on Sept. 13, State Police personnel found two suspect vehicles enter the Molly Pitcher Service Area on the New Jersey Turnpike in Cranbury. Four suspects were seen working in coordination to burglarize a parked occupied tractor-trailer, stealing boxes containing meat.

Troopers quickly moved in on the suspects, taking Hanif Tucker into custody. Shaun Coleman, the second suspect, attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended shortly after, NJSP said.

The remaining two suspects, Salahudin Reddy and Rashan Clark-Reddy, attempted to flee in a stolen vehicle, intentionally ramming an occupied unmarked police car to evade capture, authorities said.

During a brief pursuit and subsequent apprehension, two marked troop cars were also damaged.

Three troopers sustained minor injuries during the arrests, with one trooper requiring treatment at an area hospital before being released.

Shaun Coleman was charged with the following:

• Receiving Stolen Property

• Possession of burglary tools

• Criminal mischief

• Conspiracy to commit cargo theft

Salahudin Reddy was charged with the following:

• Receiving stolen property

• Possession of stolen vehicle

• Conspiracy to commit cargo theft

• Possession of burglary tools

• Burglary

• Conspiracy to commit burglary

• Resisting by flight

• Criminal mischief

Rashan Clark-Reddy was charged with the following:

• Eluding

• Receiving stolen property

• Possession of stolen vehicle

• Criminal mischief

• Possession of burglary tools

• Burglary

• Conspiracy to commit burglary

• Conspiracy to commit cargo theft

• Aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer

Hanif Tucker was charged with the following:

• Receiving stolen property

• Burglary

• Conspiracy to commit burglary

• Criminal mischief

• Conspiracy to commit cargo theft

• Possession of burglary tools

The four men have been lodged in Middlesex County Jail pending a bail detention hearing.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding these cargo thefts or similar cargo thefts is asked to contact the New Jersey State Police Troop “D” Moorestown Station Detective Bureau at (732) 522-4295, extension 3226. Anonymous tips are welcome.

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