Tehachapi man arrested for stealing fuel from work truck: Tehachapi Police

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – A Tehachapi man is in police custody after stealing fuel from several work trucks and causing thousands of dollars in damage to fuel tanks, according to Tehachapi police.

On Monday, Tehachapi officers were dispatched to a Tehachapi business because a suspect had stolen gasoline from several work trucks. After examining the trucks, officers determined the suspect had used a power drill, a large tote bag and gas cans to steal gasoline from the victims’ trucks, the department said in a news release.

Officers managed to catch the suspect in the act on a surveillance camera and later identified him as Ruben Cortez Jr., 28, of Tehachapi.

Officers arrested Cortez Jr. on Tuesday for petty theft and vandalism. Using a search warrant, officers searched his vehicle and found the items used in the theft: a drill with step bit, a tote bag and gas cans.

Cortez was booked into the Kern County Jail and Tehachpi officials are investigating other cases in which he may have been involved.

Anyone with information about the fuel theft is asked to call Tehachapi Police at 661-822-2222.