From Staff Reports
GRAFORD – As fuel prices continue to increase, fuel thieves are apparently becoming bolder as the county learned Tuesday when unknown persons stole almost 1,000 gallons of fuel from a county barn.
Palo Pinto County Precinct 2 Commissioner Ed Laney received a call at 5 a.m. Tuesday that someone stole his fuel supply for the road equipment from the county barn on State Highway 337.
“We just got a delivery Monday of 1,010 gallons,” he said, estimating that thieves took 900 gallons the next day. “What was left was ruined because they filled the tank with water to push the diesel to the top.”
Now selling at $4.06 per gallon, Laney estimated Tuesday’s loss at approximately $4,000.
“We think we were hit twice – over the weekend, too,” said Laney. He said they are “pretty certain” they had close to 200 gallons stolen over the weekend.
“The economy’s getting where it’s going to be tough on everybody,” said Laney, who said he expects thieves will try to sell the fuel.
Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer explained the diesel is “red diesel,” which is used in off-road equipment such as farm equipment or road graders, for example. He noted that none of the other county barns have experienced theft though there was an attempted theft at the Precinct 2 barn two weeks ago.
The Palo Pinto County Sheriff’s Office is offering a reward through Crime Stoppers for anyone with information about the recent theft. If you have information regarding the theft, call Crime Stoppers at (940) 659-9904. Individuals providing information leading to an arrest and indictment are eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
Arrests
The Mineral Wells Police Department reported making the following arrests:
• David Earl Burton, 22, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Tuesday for no insurance, expired registration and expired inspection.
• Christopher James Moulton, 22, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Tuesday for public intoxication.
• Alberto Ortiz, 17, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Tuesday on three MWPD traffic warrants.
• Bobby Duane Vise, 21, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Wednesday on two Fort Worth Police Department warrants for theft greater than $50 and a FTPD warrant for theft greater than $500.
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