600 gallons of diesel fuel stolen
About 600 gallons of diesel fuel was removed from two storage tanks last week near County Roads 70 and Z in the Afton area, the Glenn County Sheriff's Department reported.
Now the Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help in an effort to solve what has become a rash of agricultural diesel thefts.
The latest theft in may was valued at a $2,000 loss, officials said.
The thieves cut the locks off of the storage tanks to get to the fuel, said Sheriff Larry Jones.
On Tuesday, 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 thieves pulled up gate posts, with the cable attached, in order to gain entry onto the property, Jones said.
The fuel and damages were estimated at $1,000.
On Wednesday, Namit Family Farms in the Butte City area also reported theft and vandalism.
Stolen were 1,000 gallons of diesel, valued at $3,350, a single axle fuel wagon with a 500-gallon tank, a yellow frame and silver colored tank valued at $3,500, and a 100-gallon silver colored aluminum fuel tank valued at $600.
About $900 in damage was done to fuel hoses, Jones said.
Also on Wednesday, Vereschagin Farms at County Roads 24 and M, south of Orland, reported the theft of 425 gallons of diesel fuel and the theft of a 500 gallon fuel tank from their orchard.
Total loss was set at $1,750, Jones said.
Other thefts in the county include the theft of a Towner brand 21-foot 2000 model field disc, which was stolen from a field north of Highway 162 off of County Road ZZ, east of Butte City.
The disc, yellow in color would weigh several tons, so 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 value of the disc was reported to be about $20,000, and is believed to have been stolen sometime between April 28 and May 9.
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 934-6431.
Reporters may remain anonymous, Jones said.
He also encourages all ranchers and farmers to take special precautions in an effort to deter fuel and equipment thefts.
