A Southern California man was arrested after detectives discovered his ordinary-looking work truck concealed a secret mobile fueling station built to hoard stolen gasoline.
Tigran Gabrielian, 61, of Murrieta, was taken into custody Wednesday at a gas station in the 2000 block of Borchard Road in the Newbury Park area, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department said. Authorities believe the Murrieta man is part of a broader fuel theft ring that has used stolen credit cards to purchase thousands of dollars in gasoline across Ventura County.
The scheme first drew law enforcement attention last month when detectives learned of a data breach involving an Oxnard company’s credit cards. Authorities confirmed that $113,000 had been fraudulently charged to the company’s accounts, with massive fuel purchases made at stations throughout the county.
After contacting local gas stations, detectives started identifying possible suspects. Investigators also determined the suspects had to be using modified vehicles to store unusually large quantities of fuel given the sheer volume of gas being purchased.
“On November 4, Headquarters Detectives received information that the suspects were again using stolen credit card information at gas stations in the Newbury Park area,” the sheriff’s office said. By the time detectives arrived, Gabrielian had allegedly stolen approximately $900 worth of fuel and fled the location.
With the use of Automated License Plate Readers, authorities tracked the suspect to another gas station, where he allegedly bought another $800 worth of fuel, the sheriff’s office said.
The vehicle examination revealed an elaborate concealment. What appeared to be an ordinary utility work truck turned out to have fuel tanks hidden inside.
“Upon closer inspection, detectives discovered additional fuel tanks and large fuel bladders concealed inside the truck,” the sheriff’s office said.
“The vehicle was also equipped with a pump system, including a handle and meter, allowing fuel to be transferred and measured. The truck was seized as evidence.”
During the arrest, authorities discovered multiple blank credit cards inside Gabrielian’s truck, each with a Post-it attached containing expiration dates and PIN numbers. He was booked on nine counts of identity theft and grand theft.
The fraudulent purchases tied to the Oxnard company reached $113,000 in total, with suspects allegedly buying as much as $2,500 worth of fuel at individual gas stations in Ventura County. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing as they suspect additional suspects may be involved.
The case highlights a growing method of fuel theft in which criminals use stolen financial data to acquire large quantities of gasoline, then store and presumably resell it using modified vehicles equipped with hidden tanks and pumping systems.
Gabrielian remains in custody as detectives continue working to identify other potential participants in the scheme.