Four Los Angeles men are accused of stealing more than 300 gallons of diesel fuel from commercial trucks across Ventura County, including multiple thefts in Camarillo.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office arrested Alfonso Vargas, 52; Alfonso Vargas Jr., 33; Gilbert Flores, 37; and Miguel Cruz, 38, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, according to a news release prepared by Sgt. Ryan DeBlauw. All four are from Los Angeles and have what the department called "extensive criminal history."
The investigation began Sept. 18 after a truck driver at Tri County Transportation, a commercial truck storage yard in unincorporated Oxnard, reported about 70 gallons of diesel siphoned from his semi-truck. Surveillance footage showed a vehicle entering the yard and inspecting parked trucks, the sheriff's office said. Minutes later, a large white Ford Econoline-style van arrived and suspects began siphoning fuel.
Deputies used the Flock Automated License Plate Reader system, known as ALPR, to identify the suspects and their vehicles. The camera network connected the group to additional thefts across the county dating to August 2026.
Detectives linked the suspects to four more thefts in Camarillo and Thousand Oaks. In one case, a suspect allegedly broke a locking fuel cap. The sheriff's office estimated about 315 gallons of diesel were stolen in those incidents, a combined loss of roughly $3,330 based on average county fuel prices.
The operation followed a pattern, according to the sheriff's office. A GMC Sierra acted as a lookout vehicle while the Ford van, equipped with fuel-siphoning gear, targeted parked commercial trucks.
On Oct. 13, detectives and the West County Special Enforcement Unit learned the suspects were scouting locations in Thousand Oaks again. Detectives watched as the group siphoned diesel from a Freightliner truck in a business parking lot, as first reported by KEYT. Officers then followed both vehicles and coordinated traffic stops at separate locations, detaining all four men.
Inside the van, detectives found two 1,200-gallon fuel tanks and pumping equipment.
All four suspects were booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and theft. Additional charges are pending.
Residents with information about fuel thefts or similar crimes can call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. Callers may remain anonymous, and Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and criminal complaint.
