Perfect Pairing? Baffling Burglary of Weller Bourbon, Salmon and Cod Under Investigation

Authorities found empty boxes of Weller Bourbon, cod and salmon after a truck burglary in Philadelphia. (Photo: Sazerac)

ABC 6 reported on Thursday that Weller Bourbon was stolen from the back of a semi-truck in Northeast Philadelphia, and thieves conducted the burglary as the driver slept. CBS Philadelphia reported that boxes of Weller Bourbon were discovered near the scene.

CBS Philadelphia additionally reported that boxes of salmon and cod were discovered scattered near the surrounding area, adding another layer to the puzzle.

According to ABC 6, the truck driver hauling the bourbon was roused from his sleep around 2:30 a.m. to the truck shaking.

“He saw two vehicles,” Philadelphia Police Department Northeast Detectives Unit Captain Jack Ryan said, according to ABC 6. “A black vehicle and white vehicle make off in the back of his trailer. His trailer was opened. There was alcohol in there.”

Police arrived, and one of the drivers attempted to evade the authorities in what CBS News reports was a white Chevy Malibu. The driver collided with one of the police cars, and though no one was injured the thief escaped.

Officers found some of the driver’s cargo and seafood in the abandoned Chevy Malibu on Butler Street.

CargoNet Vice President of Operations Keith Lewis surmised that two separate burglaries probably occurred, because fish and seafood aren’t typically grouped into one shipment.

Produced by Buffalo Trace, Weller is a popular bourbon brand, and certain Weller expressions can command exorbitant prices on the secondary market.

This is far from the first whiskey heist in recent memory.

Of course, there was the infamous Pappygate, but there have also been incidents like one in January, when thieves robbed a Salt Lake City liquor shop and stole up to $20,000 of stolen merchandise. Some of the stolen goods included scotch whiskies from Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and The Macallan.

Yet out of all the heists, this incident in Northeastern Philadelphia is by far the most fishy, and left us with raised eyebrows. Police are still searching for the thief or potential thieves.

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