Four Men Arrested in Ventura County Diesel Fuel Theft Investigation
THOUSAND OAKS, CA — October 14, 2026 — Four Los Angeles-area men have been arrested after detectives investigating a series of diesel fuel thefts allegedly caught them targeting another commercial truck in Thousand Oaks, authorities said.
The investigation began after several fuel thefts were reported in Camarillo and Thousand Oaks between August and September.
On Sept. 18, Ventura County sheriff’s deputies responded to a commercial truck and semitrailer storage yard in unincorporated Oxnard after the owner of a semitruck reported that about 70 gallons of diesel fuel had been siphoned from the vehicle, said Cmdr. Eric Tennessen, a sheriff’s department spokesman.
Surveillance footage showed one vehicle scouting the storage yard and inspecting parked trucks, authorities said. Minutes later, a large white Ford Econoline-style van arrived, and several people got out and siphoned fuel from one of the trucks.
Investigators initially were unable to identify either vehicle. They later used the Sheriff’s Office Flock automated license plate reader system to identify the vehicles and connect the suspects to four additional thefts in Camarillo and Thousand Oaks, authorities said.
Detectives identified the suspects as Los Angeles residents Alfonso Vargas, 52; Alfonso Vargas Jr., 33; Gilbert Flores, 37; and Miguel Cruz, 38.
On Oct. 13, detectives received information that the suspects were again scouting locations in Ventura County, authorities said.
Investigators conducted surveillance in Thousand Oaks and allegedly observed the driver of a GMC Sierra acting as a lookout while people in a Ford van siphoned fuel from a Freightliner truck parked outside a business.
Detectives followed both vehicles and coordinated simultaneous traffic stops. Investigators reportedly found two 1,200-gallon fuel tanks and pumping equipment inside the van.
All four men were arrested and transported to the Ventura County jail, where they were booked on multiple counts of grand theft, authorities said. They remained in custody pending bail hearings.
– by F. Scott Faulkner
