Agricultural detectives in California arrested and charged a man on a variety of charges following an investigation into a diesel fuel theft scheme.
On Wednesday, the Ag Task Force (AGTF) of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office arrested 38 year old Juan Martinez-Barajas following an investigation into reports from farmers of diesel fuel theft. He was charged with grand theft, evading police, illegal possession of a firearm, possession of armor piercing ammunition, driving on a suspended license for DUI and probation violation.
Martinez-Barajas also had an active warrant for domestic battery.
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Police began investigating after farmers complained of diesel fuel theft in western Fresno County in August and September.
The AGTF learned that the suspected fuel thief may have been driving a pickup truck or riding a quad and possibly carrying an AR-15 during the thefts.
On Wednesday morning, AGTF officers were conducting surveillance at W. Phelps and S. El Dorado Avenues in Coalinga when they spotted a pickup matching the suspect vehicle description.
The pickup driver fled when officers attempted a traffic stop.
The pickup was soon found abandoned.
The AGTF called in an Air Support Unit, Drone Unit and K-9 unit and were able to locate Martinez-Barajas hiding under trees in a dry river bed.
After searching Martinez-Barajas’s vehicle, police discovered an AR-15 without a serial number.
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“Detectives determined Martinez-Barajas would steal plastic containers from farmers and either haul them in a pickup truck or tow them behind an ATV. He would fill them with diesel fuel by siphoning it out of a farmer’s equipment and storage tanks. Additionally, he would paint the containers black to conceal the red-dye diesel from being seen by passing motorists. Red-dye diesel is specifically for off-road vehicles, such as farming equipment. It can be purchased at a lower price due to not being taxed like clear, highway grade diesel. Martinez-Barajas would turn around and sell the stolen diesel to truckers at about half the price one would pay at a fuel station. It is worth noting that these truckers were breaking the law as well,” the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said.
Investigators learned that Martinez-Barajas had been stealing about 800 gallons of diesel a week for the past six months. The stolen diesel is valued at around $60,000.
Bail was set for Martinez-Barajas at $185,000.
Anyone with additional information on Juan Martinez-Barajas is asked to please contact the Ag Theft Task Force at (559) 600-8150 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org.