Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024:
Cargo theft ring busted in New Jersey
New Jersey State Police have charged four individuals with numerous charges in relation to an organized cargo theft ring.
For the past two months, the New Jersey State Police Troop “D” Criminal Investigations Office has been leading “Operation Beef Bandit,” targeting an organized criminal crew responsible for a series of nine burglaries at service areas along the New Jersey Turnpike.
These incidents involved break-ins to parked and often occupied tractor-trailers, with the suspects stealing high-value goods such as meat, alcohol, and seafood. The crew has been connected to similar thefts over the past three years across a tri-state area, amassing millions of dollars in stolen merchandise during that time, NJSP said.
Those charged in the case were Shaun Coleman, 23; Salahudin Reddy, 37; Hanif Tucker, 31; and Rashan Clark-Reddy, 26, all of Philadelphia
At approximately 1:25 a.m. on Sept. 13, NJSP personnel observed two suspect vehicles enter the Molly Pitcher Service Area on the New Jersey Turnpike. Four suspects were seen working in coordination to burglarize a parked and occupied tractor-trailer, stealing boxes containing meat.
Troopers quickly moved in on the suspects, immediately taking Tucker into custody. Coleman, the second suspect, attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended shortly after. The remaining two suspects, Reddy and Clark-Reddy, attempted to flee in a stolen vehicle, intentionally ramming an occupied unmarked police car to evade capture. During a brief pursuit and subsequent apprehension, two marked police cars were also damaged.
Three troopers sustained minor injuries during the arrests, with one trooper requiring treatment at an area hospital before being released.
Charges against the suspects include receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit cargo theft, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief and more.
All suspects 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.
[Related: Congress eyes creation of anti-fraud/cargo theft task force]
I-5 traffic shift could be in place 2 years
A traffic shift on I-5 in south Salem, Oregon, could be in place for up to two years.Oregon DOT
Road construction is underway on the I-5 corridor in south Salem, Oregon, between Kuebler Boulevard at exit 252 and Delaney Road at exit 248.
The Oregon DOT is planning to shift both directions of I-5 traffic later this year so it can:
- Close a large portion of SB I-5 to remove and replace the I-5 South Commercial Street bridge
- Build two sound walls
- Widen the road to three lanes and pave
Shifting traffic allows crews to work more efficiently and in a safer area, and will allow crews to do the work without closing lanes as often, ODOT said, which means less impacts to the traveling public.
Starting last week, ODOT closed the exit 249 I-5 off- and on-ramps to prepare for shifting NB traffic off of I-5 and onto the old OR 99E alignment using the ramps. During the two-week full closure, the department is widening and paving the ramps. Once the road is widened, ODOT will shift NB I-5 traffic onto the new alignment. Crews will then start prepping the road before SB traffic can be shifted to the existing NB lanes. To do this, ODOT will build sections of road in the median to connect the existing SB lanes to the existing NB lanes.
Officials estimate having both directions of traffic shifted in the next couple months and could last up to two years.
Shell launches fourth ‘Giving Pump’ campaign
Celebrating its fourth year, Equilon Enterprises LLC dba Shell Oil Products US is bringing back The Giving Pump, benefiting nonprofits across the nation.
Participating Shell locations will have a designated Giving Pump, where a portion of sales from the pump go to a local charity.Shell
The Giving Pump will be specially marked with colorful signage at participating stations to inspire consumers to fuel up and support a range of nonprofits, including children's hospitals, schools and after-school programs, food pantries, youth leadership programs and more. The designated pump varies by location, so some Shell locations may designate a diesel pump, while others a gas pump.
Starting at 2,900 locations in 2021, the number of Shell stations participating in the two-month initiative has grown to more than 7,500 across the US. To find a station near you, visit shell.us/givingpump.
"The Giving Pump is an easy and impactful way for customers to give back through the simple act of filling up their vehicles, and we look forward to highlighting the many organizations whose mission is to aid children and families in their communities," said Barbara Stoyko, Senior Vice President for Mobility Americas at Shell. "Each year, it has been uplifting to see the commitment from customers and stations to support nonprofits that have a positive effect on the lives they serve. Please consider choosing the 'purple pump' to pay it forward during your next fuel stop."
This year, The Giving Pump is supporting 552 local and national charities across the U.S., including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Boys & Girls Clubs, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association USA, The Brooke Healey Foundation and more. The Giving Pumps were used 7.3 million times during the two-month campaign last August and September.
