Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Busts Alleged Diesel Fuel Theft Ring in Seligman, Recovers 2,100 Gallons of Stolen Fuel
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested two Las Vegas men after uncovering what investigators described as a diesel fuel theft ring linked to burglaries at multiple Seligman, Arizona gas stations early Friday morning. The case began when one gas station reported a major theft from its diesel pumps, and investigators soon learned a neighboring station had been hit the same night. Together, the businesses reported losses of more than 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel.
During the response, a YCSO deputy spotted a parked U-Haul truck that matched the description of one of the suspected vehicles. The deputy noticed diesel fuel leaking from the cargo area and found shoe prints leading from the spill to a nearby hotel room. With help from the YCSO Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Arizona Department of Public Safety, deputies arrested the suspects while they were inside the room.
A search of the hotel room turned up several items investigators say were tied to the burglaries, including a credit card skimmer, receipts for tools used in the crimes, multiple credit cards in the names of other people, and the keys to the U-Haul. Authorities said the evidence also raised concerns about possible identity theft and fraud.
Investigators later searched the U-Haul and found a makeshift transport system made up of seven containers holding about 2,100 gallons of stolen diesel fuel. The two suspects were identified as 37-year-old Dachel Roberto Michel Campos of Las Vegas and 23-year-old Jesus Daniel Rodriguez Yordy, also of Las Vegas. Both were arrested on burglary and theft charges.
Sheriff’s officials worked with the victim companies to recover the stolen fuel safely. Detectives also said they believe a third, unidentified suspect was involved in the theft operation. According to investigators, a second vehicle, described as a newer-model black Ford F-650 flatbed truck, left the area before deputies arrived.
Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying the third suspect or locating the black Ford F-650 flatbed truck. Anyone with information is urged to call YCSO at 928-771-3260 or submit an anonymous tip through Yavapai Silent Witness at 1-800-932-3232.
Authorities said the incident is not believed to be connected to any train or truck burglaries along Interstate 40. The case highlights how a quick investigation and close attention to evidence helped deputies trace the stolen fuel, connect the suspects to the crime scene, and recover a large amount of diesel before it could disappear.
