A pair of thieves was arrested for allegedly stealing practically 10,000 gallons of diesel gas price greater than $65,000 in two separate heists of the expensive petroleum.
Steven Anthony Bailey, 40, and Brian Briseño Mena, 27, had been taken into custody after officers linked them to the gasoline thefts in Might 2025 and March 2026, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Workplace introduced Tuesday.
On Might 16, 2025, deputies responded to a enterprise in Mecca, the place the suspects has tampered with a diesel pump and used modified autos to steal about 463 gallons of gas price roughly $2,100 earlier than fleeing the scene and forsaking a car, in response to the sheriff’s workplace.
About 10 months later, on March 11, 2026, the identical suspects stole roughly 9,000 gallons of diesel gas price an estimated of $63,000, from a enterprise in Coachella with authorities noting the tactic was in step with the sooner theft, authorities stated.
Bailey was booked into the Cois M. Byrd Detention Middle on expenses of grand theft, gas theft, conspiracy and arranged retail theft. Mena was booked on a felony warrant for gas theft.
“This investigation stays ongoing, and no extra particulars can be found right now,” the Riverside County Sheriff’s Division stated in an announcement.
The operation was carried out with help from a number of native, regional, and state legislation enforcement businesses, together with specialised enforcement and process drive items.
On the time of the alleged thefts, the price of diesel various. Throughout the first incident final yr, the common retail worth for No. 2 diesel in California was roughly $4.76 to $4.84 per gallon.
In March of this yr, diesel costs climbed from round $6 per gallon within the early a part of the month to just about $8 per gallon.
Diesel theft is a rising downside in California, steadily described as an “organized crime phenomenon” focusing on gasoline stations and business autos.
Obtain The California Put up App, comply with us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Put up Information: Fb, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Put up Sports activities Fb, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Put up Opinion California Put up Newsletters: Enroll right here!California Put up App: Obtain right here!House supply: Enroll right here!Web page Six Hollywood: Enroll right here!
