Oil Tanker's Theft Raises Concerns
Authorities worried over terrorism possibility start nationwide search for the missing truck
by Robert Rudolph
The Newark Star-Ledger
Federal, state and local authorities have launched a nationwide hunt for a fuel-oil tanker truck that vanished from a South Jersey truck terminal last week.
Authorities said the theft has raised alarms because of the ability of terrorist groups to turn such trucks into powerful bombs, similar to ones used in previous bombings in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world.
FBI spokeswoman Linda Vizi said authorities have received no threats or direct intelligence reports relating to the missing truck, but stressed that the disappearance remains a cause for concern.
"We don't know what the motive was behind the theft," Vizi said, but added, "We're doing everything we can to find it.
"We don't want the public to be scared," she said, noting that the truck may simply have been stolen for parts, but emphasized that officials are seeking the public's help in tracing the vehicle.
Vizi said the local FBI office had contacted agency headquarters in Washington to put out a nationwide alert to determine if the disappearance was part of a broader pattern.
"It could be anywhere," Vizi said. "It could be in California by now."
At the same time, Roger Shatzkin, a spokesman for the New Jersey Office of Counter-terrorism, said that agency has asked all New Jersey law enforcement officials, from state to county to local, to join in the search for the truck.
"We have contacted all county counter-terrorism representatives," Shatzkin said. He emphasized that there have been no direct threats, but noted, "We feel we just have to take that extra precaution."
New Jersey-based FBI Joint Terrorism Agent Bill Evanina said bulletins had been sent out last week as soon as workers realized the chrome-covered tanker was gone, but said there have been no leads to date.
Evanina noted, however, that authorities have expressed similar concerns over reports of stolen ambulances, dump trucks and even school buses, any one of which could be turned into a delivery agent for explosives.
The missing tanker was described as a light-colored Fruehauf tanker with the name "TK Transport" in large green letters on its side. The truck had a New Jersey license plate, T852SC, at the time of the disappearance.
Vizi said the vehicle disappeared from the parking lot at the TK Transport Terminal in Pennsauken between April 7 and 10.
Pennsauken police Capt. Earl Griffin said it was a few days before workers at the facility realized it was gone. He said the truck, which had recently been refurbished, was empty at the time of the disappearance.
Vizi said this particular truck did not have a valid federal inspection sticker, which would prevent it from being filled at any legitimate supply depot.
Authorities noted that the same company has other trucks on the road but urged anyone with information to call their local 911 number, the State Police, the FBI or the New Jersey Office of Counter-terrorism.
Authorities worried over terrorism possibility start nationwide search for the missing truck
by Robert Rudolph
The Newark Star-Ledger
Federal, state and local authorities have launched a nationwide hunt for a fuel-oil tanker truck that vanished from a South Jersey truck terminal last week.
Authorities said the theft has raised alarms because of the ability of terrorist groups to turn such trucks into powerful bombs, similar to ones used in previous bombings in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world.
FBI spokeswoman Linda Vizi said authorities have received no threats or direct intelligence reports relating to the missing truck, but stressed that the disappearance remains a cause for concern.
"We don't know what the motive was behind the theft," Vizi said, but added, "We're doing everything we can to find it.
"We don't want the public to be scared," she said, noting that the truck may simply have been stolen for parts, but emphasized that officials are seeking the public's help in tracing the vehicle.
Vizi said the local FBI office had contacted agency headquarters in Washington to put out a nationwide alert to determine if the disappearance was part of a broader pattern.
"It could be anywhere," Vizi said. "It could be in California by now."
At the same time, Roger Shatzkin, a spokesman for the New Jersey Office of Counter-terrorism, said that agency has asked all New Jersey law enforcement officials, from state to county to local, to join in the search for the truck.
"We have contacted all county counter-terrorism representatives," Shatzkin said. He emphasized that there have been no direct threats, but noted, "We feel we just have to take that extra precaution."
New Jersey-based FBI Joint Terrorism Agent Bill Evanina said bulletins had been sent out last week as soon as workers realized the chrome-covered tanker was gone, but said there have been no leads to date.
Evanina noted, however, that authorities have expressed similar concerns over reports of stolen ambulances, dump trucks and even school buses, any one of which could be turned into a delivery agent for explosives.
The missing tanker was described as a light-colored Fruehauf tanker with the name "TK Transport" in large green letters on its side. The truck had a New Jersey license plate, T852SC, at the time of the disappearance.
Vizi said the vehicle disappeared from the parking lot at the TK Transport Terminal in Pennsauken between April 7 and 10.
Pennsauken police Capt. Earl Griffin said it was a few days before workers at the facility realized it was gone. He said the truck, which had recently been refurbished, was empty at the time of the disappearance.
Vizi said this particular truck did not have a valid federal inspection sticker, which would prevent it from being filled at any legitimate supply depot.
Authorities noted that the same company has other trucks on the road but urged anyone with information to call their local 911 number, the State Police, the FBI or the New Jersey Office of Counter-terrorism.
