Elaborate Scheme To Steal Gas With Bread Truck Crumbles In Davis

DAVIS (CBS13) - It brings a new meaning to gas guzzling. A bread truck wasn't being used to deliver loaves. Instead, Davis police say crooks used it as a cover-up to steal gas from an underground tank.

Investigators say the suspects came in a vehicle custom built for the crime. Caught on camera, two men using what appears to be a bread delivery truck pull up to the pump to make it look like they're getting gas.

Turns out, detectives say, it was an elaborate plan to steal thousands in fuel.

The tape shows one man lifting the lid off an underground tank. That's when detectives say the suspects used their own pump through a hole in the van.

Darshan Mundy says his Valero gas station has been hit six times in the past month by the suspects, costing him $8,000.

"It is tough. This is another big loss," he said. "Then we started watching what was happening."

An employee staking out the pumps spotted the suspects and called police.

One man fled on foot, but officers were able to arrest 27-year-old Tyler Bird, who is now facing charges of conspiracy and attempted grand theft.

"This is the first time in my 20-year career that I've seen something like this," Davis Police Lt. Paul Doroshov said.

Officers were surprised by what they found inside the suspects' vehicle, a 1,000-gallon gas tank and a hose that could be lowered through the floor.

Police were concerned a secret spark could have caused a catastrophe.

"You're talking about a lot of vapor, a lot of flammable fluids, and the people doing it are not exactly your gas truck operators that are well trained," Doroshov said.

Some customers think today's high prices at the pump may be to blame.

"I guess people get cornered and they get to a place where they do what they need to do and that's, that's sad," Tim Colen said.

Mundy says this is the worst crime wave he's seen in his 26 years of business. Officers are glad at least this tricked-out truck is now off the streets.

"I thought it was pretty devious," Doroshov said.