Thief siphons gas from Clovis school serving students who have disabilities
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A brazen thief was caught on camera targeting a California learning center serving individuals with intellectual disabilities, stealing gas from a transport van and disrupting the routines of nearly 200 vulnerable students.
Staff at the Diamond Learning Center in Clovis said frustration grew after a suspect broke into a parking garage and siphoned fuel from one of their pickup trucks.
Surveillance video shows a man entering the parking lot around 5pm on Sunday evening and heading straight for the vehicle, carrying multiple gas containers and appearing ready to grab more of the fuel he ended up getting away with. KMPH reported.
Isaac Jimenez, the center’s senior manager, told the press: “When we arrived, one of the vans had been broken into; at first we noticed that the entire floor was covered in oil.” “The gas canisters were left behind and someone had taken the gas.”
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A suspect is seen running with a gas container after allegedly siphoning fuel from a van used to transport students at the Diamond Learning Center in Clovis, California. (Diamond Learning Center/KMPH)
The suspect fled in a large red container, leaving two men behind in what staff said was evidence the theft was planned.
Clovis Police confirmed to Fox News Digital that reports were received early Monday morning for three misdemeanors, including vehicle tampering, breaking and entering and theft.
Investigators said the suspect either climbed over the fence or somehow got around the perimeter fence to gain access to the secured area. The value of the stolen fuel was determined to be approximately $40, and police noted minor damage to the vehicle.
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Surveillance video shows the suspect entering a parking garage filled with containers before stealing gasoline from a school van at Diamond Learning Center in Clovis. (Diamond Learning Center/KMPH)
Despite the surveillance video, the case is currently on hold due to a lack of evidence to launch an investigation; officers said the video quality was not clear enough to identify the suspect.
The theft would likely be classified as petty theft, and the value of the stolen fuel was estimated to be under $900, authorities said.
While gasoline theft is relatively rare, police say these thefts tend to increase when fuel prices rise.
Police described the incident as “disappointing” and noted that any theft constitutes a violation of property, especially if it involves entering a secure area.
For the school, the impact goes far beyond the cost of gas.
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Diamond Learning Center in Clovis, California, serves approximately 200 people and was the target of a gas theft incident. (Diamond Learning Center/KMPH)
The vans serve approximately 190 students, most of whom adhere to strict daily routines. Staff said the theft forced them to change routes, delay pickup and scramble to notify parents, wasting entire school days.
“It also keeps the student occupied for the day,” Jimenez said. “It’s hard to get them back, to refocus.”
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Jimenez had a clear message for the suspect: Don’t go back.
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“You got away with it once, you won’t get away with it again,” he said.
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Police are continuing to investigate and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Officials also recommend that drivers take precautions such as locking gas caps and parking in safe areas whenever possible.
Stepheny Price covers crimes including missing persons, murders and immigration crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
