The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in an effort to solve and prevent an ongoing rash of agricultural diesel fuel thefts which have occurred during the month of May.
Sheriff Larry Jones reported the thefts had resulted in the loss of thousands of dollars of diesel.
On Saturday, May 26, a total of 600 gallons of diesel was removed from two storage tanks located on property near Afton, according to Jones. Thieves cut the locks off of the storage tanks, taking diesel valued at about $2,000.
On Tuesday, May 29, approximately 200 gallons of diesel were removed from a storage tank located on State Highway 162 east of County Road Z. In that case, the suspects pulled up gate posts, with cable attached, in order to gain entry onto the property. The stolen fuel and the damage to property was estimated at $1,000, according to Jones.
On Wednesday, May 30, Namit Family Farms in the Butte City area reported theft and vandalism. Materials taken included 1,000 gallons of diesel, valued at $3,350; a single axle fuel wagon with 500 hundred gallon tank, yellow frame and silver colored tank valued at $3,500; a 100 gallon silver colored aluminum fuel tank valued at $600 were stolen; and $900 in damages done to fuel hoses.
Also on May 30 Vereschagin Farms near Orland reported the theft of 425 gallons of diesel fuel and the theft of a 500 gallon fuel tank from their orchard, Jones reported. The total value of those thefts was estimated at $1,750.
In an additional agricultural theft, a Towner brand 21-foot 2000 model field disc was stolen from a field north of Highway 162 and east of Butte City at the end of April or early in May, Jones reported.
The disc, yellow in color, would weigh several tons and whoever took it would have to have had a heavy trailer to place it on and a front loader to accomplish the theft, Jones said. The equipment is valued at more than $20,000.
Anyone with information regarding these, or similar crimes, or who may have observed suspicious activity in the areas of these thefts, is urged to contact the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office at 707-934-6431. Callers may remain anonymous.
Ranchers and farmers are also urged to take special precautions in an effort to deter fuel and equipment thefts.