Four people were arrested last week after authorities said they stole diesel fuel and used skimming devices to make fraudulent credit card purchases at a truck stop in Kern County.

Deputies from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office North Area Substation in Buttonwillow responded Nov. 6 to reports of fraudulent credit card use totaling thousands of dollars at a truck stop on Lagoon Drive.

Investigators determined that four suspects used three trucks and several containers — including fuel tanks and five-gallon water bottles — to steal diesel fuel.

Deputies found two of the vehicles at a nearby hotel and arrested Yasel Yedra Rodriguez, 42, of Houston, and Yoagner Torres Rodriguez, 42, of Las Vegas. Authorities said they recovered computers and electronic devices commonly used in credit card skimming.

The next day, Nov. 7, deputies located the third truck and arrested Rolando Martin Santos, 37, and Aneysi Afonso Amuedo, 34, both of Houston, for the diesel theft. They were also found with electronic equipment used for card skimming, the sheriff’s office said.

All four suspects were booked into the Lerdo Jail on charges of fraudulent credit card use, altering credit card account information, grand theft, and conspiracy.

Got a Tip?

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (661) 322-4040.

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