RivCo Men Accused Of Stealing Thousands Of Dollars Worth Of Diesel Fuel: Sheriff

MECCA, CA — Two men were arrested on Wednesday after they were accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of fuel from two Coachella Valley businesses following a years-long investigation into a large-scale organized diesel fuel theft operation, authorities said.

Deputies responded to a report of fuel theft at a business on May 16 in the 90000 block of 66th Avenue in the community of Mecca. Upon arrival, they found an abandoned vehicle and did not locate any suspects, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had allegedly manipulated a diesel fuel pump and used "modified vehicles to conceal and transport fuel," the department stated. There were roughly 463 gallons of fuel stolen valued at about $2,100, officials said.

A separate fuel theft occurred on March 11 of this year in the 46000 block of Dillon Road in Coachella, where 9,000 gallons of diesel fuel were stolen valued at roughly $63,000, the department said. The agency said the method used in the Coachella theft was consistent with the previous fuel theft, and Bailey and Mena were identified as the suspects.

Multiple search warrants were executed, including in Perris, the unincorporated area of Homeland and Apple Valley in San Bernardino County, where authorities allegedly found evidence and the vehicle modifications used in the thefts.

On Tuesday, an additional search warrant was executed in the 400 block of Daniella Way in Perris, where two men were taken into custody without incident.

Steven Anthony Bailey, 40, was booked into the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on Tuesday on suspicion of grand theft, theft of fuel, conspiracy and organized retail theft. Brian Briseno Mena, 27 was booked on suspicion of a felony warrant for theft of fuel, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

No bail information was immediately available.

Authorities said the investigation was ongoing. Anyone with information about the case or similar incidents was asked to call 760-863-8990.

City News Service contributed to this report.