Stock photo via Pexels<\/p>\n
A Philadelphia man has been ordered to serve 121 months in federal prison after admitting his central role in a cargo theft ring that targeted tractor-trailers parked across the city in 2023, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
Haneef Palmer, 33, also known as “Lew,” was ordered to pay $1,080,786.44 in restitution by U.S. District Chief Judge Wendy Beetlestone.<\/p>\n
Palmer had pleaded guilty in March 2026 to one count each of conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, possession of items from an interstate shipment theft, theft of government money, and possession of stolen government money, along with five counts of theft from an interstate shipment.<\/p>\n
How the Theft Ring Operated<\/p>\n
Between January and July 2023, Palmer and his co-conspirators targeted tractor-trailers left unattended overnight or while drivers slept. The group used bolt cutters and other tools to break into trailers, then sold the stolen goods to local contacts, 6ABC reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n Across more than 10 victims, the group stole goods with a combined estimated value exceeding $1.5 million.<\/p>\n The Northeast Philadelphia Dime Heist<\/p>\n The theft that attracted the most attention happened on April 13, 2023, when Palmer and others took more than $230,000 worth of U.S. dimes from a trailer parked in a Walmart parking lot on Byberry Road in Northeast Philadelphia.<\/p>\n