Dinuba Man Arrested By Sheriff’s Ag Unit

A Dinuba man was arrested Sunday by detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Agricultural Crimes Unit stemming from the theft of a large quantity of diesel fuel.

The Ag Crime Unit was contacted by investigators from the Pipkin Private Investigations, a report stated. The firm was looking in to the theft of a large volume of diesel fuel from Fischer Oil Company of Visalia.

The report stated that at least on person from Pipkin Private Investigations, using a cover, purchased some diesel fuel from a Fischer Oil Company truck driver whom the firm believed had committed the theft.

Tulare County ag crime detectives, assisted by the private investigations firm, arranged for undercover detectives to allegedly purchase 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel from the suspect. The undercover officers posed as farm workers.

On March 9, the detectives reportedly purchased the 1,000 gallons of fuel from the trick driver, and then arrested the suspect, Glen Dale Smith, 38, of Dinuba.

According to the sheriff’s report, Smith attempted to flee and was found hiding in a nearby field. The report stated that Smith admitted to stealing the fuel from Fischer Oil Company.

Later that day, a reverse sting operation was conduced on the Citrus Mini Mart in Orange Cove, owned by Jose Luis Guerra Jr., 35 according to the sheriff’s report.

The owner of the market had purchased diesel fuel earlier from Smith, the report stated. And he bought 2,000 gallons of fuel from the undercover detectives knowing it was stolen property, the report continued.

Guerra was arrested on suspicion of attempting to receive stolen property and purchasing stolen property. Smith was arrested on suspicion of grand theft. Both men were taken to Tulare County Jail.

News Release