A viral video showed thieves stealing frozen chicken from a moving lorry on a Cairo highway. The footage led police to six suspects and made the unusual heist a talking point across Egypt.
A six-member gang that carried out a movie-style robbery by stealing more than 100 kg of chicken from a moving truck in Egypt has been busted, with three suspects killed in a shoot-out with police and three others arrested, authorities said.
The unusual robbery took place on a highway in Cairo on August 25, when the gang targeted a truck transporting around four tonnes of frozen chicken from a factory.
MOVING TRUCK ROBBERY CAUGHT ON CAMERA
A video recorded by a passing motorist showed the dramatic operation. Two men could be seen using a pickup truck to approach the rear of the speeding refrigerated lorry. They reportedly climbed onto the hood of the pickup, opened the lorry’s rear doors and transferred boxes of chicken while both vehicles were moving.
The footage quickly went viral on social media, with users comparing the incident to action sequences from the Fast & Furious film franchise.
According to the truck driver’s statement, he was unaware that the robbery was taking place. He later discovered that around 105 kg of chicken had been stolen from the vehicle.
The viral footage helped alert authorities and prompted an investigation into the robbery.
POLICE TRACK DOWN SIX SUSPECTS
Egypt’s Interior Ministry said security forces subsequently identified six suspects, all of whom had previous criminal records.
Investigators traced the suspects to hideouts in Cairo and Qalyubia. Police moved to arrest them after gathering information about their involvement in the highway robbery.
According to the ministry, the suspects opened fire when security forces attempted to apprehend them, leading to an armed confrontation.
“Three suspects were killed, while three others were arrested,” the Interior Ministry said.
Police also seized weapons and the pickup truck used in the robbery. Some of the stolen chicken and other property believed to be connected to separate robberies were also recovered, according to reports.
The three surviving suspects are expected to face charges including armed robbery and firing at security forces.
The case is the latest in a series of unusual food-related thefts reported internationally. In May 2026, more than 12 tonnes of KitKat bars were stolen from a shipment in Canada, prompting Nestl to increase security around some of its remaining deliveries.
