Surveillance helps nab gas guzzlers
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – At the end of December, crooks were caught stealing gas over and over again from a Texaco station on Lomas and Juan Tabo. The owner asked News 13 to air the surveillance video in hope that someone would recognize the crooks and turn them in.
On Thursday police arrested Herman Aceves, 40.
Police say Aceves and a buddy stole more than 87 gallons of fuel from the 4 Winds Travel Center in Northwest Albuquerque. they believe Aceves uses a special key to open the gas pump and disable the meter inside allowing him to siphon out whatever he wants.
A criminal complaint shows when arrested Aceves’s friend told police they knew the men involved in the gas thefts from across the city, but claimed they had nothing to do with them. he also said the men involved stopped using the trucks seen in the surveillance video because they saw themselves on the news and didn’t want to get caught.
Police aren’t quite buying that story and still believe the pair is responsible for stealing more than $10,000 worth of fuel in the last two months.
Authorities believe the crooks are turning around and selling the gas illegally to truckers.
Aceves faces felony larceny charges and is in jail on a $20,000 cash/surety bond.
