North Texas Diesel Theft Ring Busted After Suspects Stole Millions in Fuel Nightly

A Sophisticated Scheme Hidden in Plain Sight

Five people have been arrested for the suspected operation of an organized crime scheme targeting diesel fuel pumps across North Texas. The scale of the operation is staggering — not a one-time smash-and-grab, but a relentless, methodical criminal enterprise that brazenly targeted truck stops night after night. The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) received several reports of stolen diesel fuel and card numbers from the Garland Police Department in late April, and the subsequent investigation revealed that an organized group had installed payment card skimming devices on diesel pumps throughout North Texas, stealing card information and fraudulently purchasing diesel fuel with the stolen data.

Authorities estimate the thieves stole between 1,500 and 2,500 gallons of diesel per night, five to six times per week, by pumping the fuel into hidden compartments in their vehicles. To put that in perspective, a standard gas station's entire underground tank holds roughly 10,000 gallons. This group was draining the equivalent of a quarter of that — every single night. Investigators later determined the group had allegedly installed skimming devices on high-flow diesel pumps across North Texas, including locations as far away as Smith County.

How the Operation Worked

The investigation determined that the group installed skimming devices on diesel pumps to steal payment card information and use the stolen data to obtain fuel from truck stops throughout North Texas. The criminal pipeline didn't stop there. Investigators also recovered a laptop computer connected to a re-encoding device that was allegedly used to write stolen card numbers onto new cards. In other words, this wasn't a crew of opportunistic thieves — it was a full operation, complete with technology, infrastructure, and vehicles modified specifically for the job.

On June 12, authorities moved in. The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, with the assistance of the Smith County District Attorney's Office, Garland Police Department, Irving Police Department, Arlington Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety Special Operations Group, the Texas Department of Public Safety Anti-Gang Group, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the FBI's Violent Crimes Task Force, executed three simultaneous search warrants at two locations in Irving and one location in Arlington. Investigators recovered 10 skimming devices, 50 altered payment cards, and a laptop computer connected to a re-encoding device that was allegedly used to transfer stolen card information onto new cards.

The Suspects and the Charges

Four of the suspects — Jael Diaz Morejon, Adriana Castillo Oliveros, Noel Pena Rodriguez, and Carlos Virgilio Lopez Coba — are Cuban nationals, while Betsy Santiesteban Lopez is a Mexican national. Betsy Santiesteban Lopez was arrested on June 15 while arriving from Mexico and is held at the Dallas County Jail. All five suspects are charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, a First-Degree Felony. Two additional individuals located at the residences were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for administrative matters.

Authorities estimate the operation prevented approximately $10 million in additional fraud losses to Texans. That number reflects not just what was stolen, but what investigators believe would have continued to be stolen had the ring not been dismantled. The case will be prosecuted by the Smith County District Attorney's Office in Tyler, Texas.

A Bigger Problem on Texas Roads

This bust is a reminder that fuel pump skimming is not a minor nuisance — it's organized crime. The FCIC, which led this investigation, was built precisely for moments like this. The Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center is staffed by law enforcement officers and intelligence analysts with extensive experience investigating organized financial crimes, including credit card skimming and shimming that attack fuel dispensers, ATMs, and point-of-sale terminals. Their track record shows a pattern: this type of crime is growing more sophisticated, more coordinated, and more lucrative.

For everyday drivers and trucking companies who fill up at North Texas pumps, the case is a sobering reminder to check card readers for tampering before swiping. The victims here weren't just fuel companies absorbing losses — cardholders whose data was stolen may not even know their information was compromised. As the prosecution moves forward in Smith County, the outcome of this case could set a meaningful precedent for how Texas handles organized fuel theft rings going forward.