Sheriff investigates gas scam

A box truck driven by two suspects attempted to steal diesel fuel from a store in Shepherd. Courtesy photos

SJNT staff

Law enforcement officials are searching for the suspects who attempted to steal fuel.SHEPHERD — The San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an attempt to steal diesel fuel through the use of gift cards and storage totes.

Sheriff Greg Capers said that on March 7, deputies were alerted about suspicious activity at Big Kountry Travel Stop in Shepherd, where two suspects in a white box truck attempted to pay for diesel with a gift card.

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The attendant realized that something didn’t make sense and called 911; once the two males heard him giving dispatchers their description, they fled into the woods, abandoning the truck, which was at the commercial vehicle diesel pumps, he said.

Deputies found the box truck had some fabrication done, allowing fuel to be pumped through the saddle tank and into storage totes in the cargo area, Capers said, and apparently, the plot is to use gift cards to get the attendant to turn on the pump and then the thieves pump hundreds of gallons of diesel without paying for any of it, then drive away.

Capers said this type of scam has been widespread recently, with cases being reported in Liberty, Harris, Montgomery, Galveston and Brazoria counties. Multiple agencies are involved in the investigation, and multiple subjects have been identified in various counties.

If you have any information regarding the possible identity of the subject, or observe any suspicious activity, please contact the Sheriff’s Office.