Three Gas Thieves Caught

Angels Camp, CA — They used a credit card, but never paid at the pump. Calaveras County Sheriff’s Officials say the three men stole 400 gallons of gas from the Glory Hole Sport Texaco Station in Angels Camp on Monday.

The theft was caught on the station’s surveillance video which showed a white male driving a white truck stealing the gasoline early in the morning on Monday. During an investigation deputies discovered that a similar looking man and truck were involved in the theft of 288 gallons of gas from the Shell Sierra Trading Post in Angels Camp in December.

On Tuesday evening deputies spotted the white truck parked in the parking lot of MarVal grocery store in Valley Springs. While questioning the driver and passengers they found fuel containers, siphon hoses and burglary tools (screw drivers, etc.) inside the truck.

Deputies arrested the driver 37 year old Jason Newton, and 45 year old Michael Duncan both of Valley Springs and 31 year old Robert Range of Manteca. All three have been charged with felony grand theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of burglary tools. Newton also admitted to similar thefts in Rocklin and Lodi.

Deputies say one clue that helped them catch the thieves was Newton actually used his credit card to activate the pump at the Glory Hole station, but then was able to bypass the system and steal the gas.
Sheriff’s Detectives say the case is still under investigation.