A months-long investigation into repeated fuel thefts at a gas station in the Dutch Flat area has ended with two arrests, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives say the thefts began back in February and happened at least a dozen times, adding up to more than $34,000 worth of stolen fuel.
During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to identify specific trucks that kept showing up during the thefts, which became a key piece in tracking down those responsible.
How the Suspects Were Caught
The break in the case came on Friday, July 10, when deputies responded to a report of another fuel theft happening in real time.
When they arrived, they found one of the suspect vehicles sitting at the scene, but no one was around it. Investigators quickly figured out the suspects had already taken off in a second vehicle.
Deputies were able to identify that second truck and track it down the hill in Roseville, near Interstate 80 and Cirby Way. A traffic stop was conducted, and once deputies searched the vehicles, they found large fuel containers stashed in the truck beds, which led to both suspects being taken into custody.
The two men arrested were identified as Oscar Yordi Rodriguez, 34, of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Luis Abreu, 31, of Miami, Florida.
Investigation Still Open
The Sheriff’s Office says detectives are continuing to dig into the case, looking for any additional suspects who may have been involved, as well as other incidents that could be connected to this same group.
The arrests have sparked plenty of discussion online, with many residents praising the work of local deputies and detectives for cracking a case that spanned several months. Others questioned how thieves were able to pull off repeated fuel thefts without getting caught sooner, and some wondered exactly how the fuel was being taken in such large quantities in the first place.
A number of commenters also pointed out that the scale of the theft, based on current gas prices, likely adds up to thousands of gallons taken over the course of the investigation.
Questions also came up about why the suspects would travel from as far as Nevada and Florida just to steal gas in a small Northern California community, though the Sheriff’s Office has not released additional details on that point.
For now, authorities are asking anyone with information related to this case or similar incidents in the region to come forward as the investigation continues. No further details on charges or court dates have been released at this time.
