Upper Darby police say they busted an early-morning meat heist on Wednesday, June 3, cutting into what investigators believe is a large-scale operation targeting cheesesteak shipments and snagging three suspects while a fourth slipped away.
According to police, surveillance cameras caught hooded, masked suspects in an industrial area just before 4 a.m., methodically unloading boxes from a tractor-trailer. Officers, who say they had been watching the group, moved in after observing the unloading and seized evidence tied to roughly $250,000 worth of cheesesteak meat.
Three Nabbed In Alleged Meat Crew, One Still Missing
Authorities arrested 30-year-old Braheem Jenrette, 28-year-old Yaseen Mohommed and 28-year-old Justin Mond. Police say a fourth suspect, 23-year-old Tamej Whittacker, remains at large.
"We knew some of the vehicles and some of the suspects we were looking for," Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt told reporters, describing a targeted operation rather than a lucky break. The arrests, surveillance footage and suspect identities were reported by 6ABC.
Growing Cheesesteak Operation Becomes A Prime Target
The thefts have zeroed in on trailers parked near Philly's Best Steak Company in Yeadon's industrial park. The busy cheesesteak meat supplier, headquartered on Industrial Park Drive, operates multiple buildings on its lot.
The company has been expanding its capacity in 2026, which has meant more early-morning shipments coming and going from the site. Coverage republished by Delco Today outlines the growth and added freight activity that have turned the area into an even busier hub for meat deliveries.
Cops Eye Possible Black-Market Resale
Investigators said the June incident was the sixth theft from trailers outside the Yeadon facility since December. Surveillance video from January shows a similar raid that, according to police, stripped more than $30,000 in meat from a trailer. In total, officers estimate that more than $500,000 worth of product has been stolen across the region.
Police say they suspect some of that haul is getting flipped to small businesses. They believe the stolen meat may be resold to mom-and-pop shops or convenience stores that might not realize they are buying hot product.
Describing how easy it can be to hit a loaded trailer in the middle of the night, Bernhardt told 6ABC, "You cannot hear anything. You could empty that entire truck before they would know."
The investigation is ongoing, and nearby departments are reviewing whether the suspects may be linked to other regional thefts. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Upper Darby Police Department.
