After a lengthy investigation, police have apprehended a suspect in connection with the theft of farm diesel, involving the disappearance of 500 gallons of fuel.

      Caleb Jacobs

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      As someone who operates a Kubota tractor nearly every day, keeping diesel in the tank is challenging enough without the worry of theft. Farms in Merced and Madera counties, California, have been struggling even more, with roughly 500 gallons of fuel reported missing from their properties. This prompted a two-month investigation by the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, which has recently arrested a 55-year-old local suspect in connection with the thefts.

      At this point, it’s unclear if the thief acted solo or was part of a group, but the task of stealing 500 gallons of fuel is no small feat. It's likely they had a large tank to store it in, although if not, gathering 100 five-gallon containers would probably be more expensive than just purchasing the diesel (assuming they didn’t steal those containers as well).

      The fuel in question was farm diesel, which is dyed red to signify its tax-exempt status. This reduces the cost somewhat—up to 90 cents less per gallon than on-road diesel—but it’s still significant. According to AAA, average diesel prices in Madera County are $6.73 per gallon, meaning farm diesel would be around $6 per gallon.

      “Agricultural fuel thefts have a direct financial impact on local farmers and can disrupt essential farming operations,” stated the Merced County Sheriff’s Office. “This investigation is ongoing, and further charges or arrests may follow.”

      While a potential theft of $3,000 in materials might not appear particularly alarming compared to other thefts highlighted in the news, the implications run deeper. Small-scale agricultural operations don’t generate profits like larger farms do, and California is expensive both to live in and to operate a business. Downtime can be just as detrimental to agricultural workers as it is to truckers, which makes these thefts particularly reprehensible.

      Do not steal from anyone, especially not from small, family-run businesses.

      Have a tip or question for the author? Reach out directly: caleb@thedrive.com