A Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s investigation resulted in the arrest of two suspects and the dismantling of a fuel-theft ring following coordinated burglaries at various gas stations in Seligman on May 22.
Authorities discovered around 2,100 gallons of stolen diesel fuel in connection with the case.
The investigation began after a Seligman gas station reported a large theft of diesel fuel from its pumps. Shortly later, it was determined that a nearby station had been attacked on the same night. The stations collectively reported losing more than 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel.
During the first inquiry, a Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputy discovered a parked U-Haul truck that fit the description of one of the suspect cars. When the deputy looked closer, he discovered diesel fuel pouring from the cargo area onto the pavement. The deputy discovered shoe prints leading from the fuel spill to a nearby hotel room.
The deputy arrested the defendants while they were still in the hotel room, with the assistance of the YCSO Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
A credit card skimmer device, receipts for the particular items used to perpetrate the burglaries, various credit cards bearing the names of uninvolved individuals—indicating probable identity theft and fraud — and the keys to the suspects’ U-Haul were discovered during the search, according to investigators.
A search of the U-Haul revealed a homemade transportation system consisting of seven containers that held approximately 2,100 gallons of stolen diesel fuel. The accused were identified as Dachel Roberto Michel Campos, 37, and Jesus Daniel Rodriguez Yordy, 23, both of Las Vegas. Both were arrested for burglary and stealing.
YCSO worked with the victim companies to safely recover the stolen fuel.
Detectives reported that a third, unidentified suspect was involved. According to investigators, a second vehicle, a newer-model black Ford F-650 flatbed truck, left the scene before YCSO arrived.
Anyone with information on the unidentified third suspect, the black Ford F-650 flatbed, or the event is asked to call YCSO at 928-771-3260 or send an anonymous tip to Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232.
Authorities believe the event is unrelated to any train or truck burglaries along I-40.
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