Five people from Georgia are under arrest in Alabama after authorities say they stole 2,100 gallons of diesel fuel over four days last week.
The thefts happened between Aug. 2 through Aug. 5, at an undisclosed gas station in Pelham.
Those charged are:
- Brion Tiyari Harris, 21, of Conyers
- Brandon Michael Tyson, 23, of Atlanta
- Makai Michael Anthony Brown, 22, of Atlanta
- Santos Sirchard Oliver, 23, of Atlanta
- Jasmine Symone Mathis, 25, Atlanta
The thefts were discovered when the gas station owner noticed a large amount of fuel gone, with no record of sale.
Once he determined there was no leak, he reviewed his surveillance video and saw a man filling up large storage containers in the back of a moving truck. That’s when he notified police.
The initial theft report was made at 8:30 am Thursday, Aug. 4 These suspects were taken into custody around 1:15 a.m. Friday.
Pelham police Det. Sgt. Brad Jordan said the suspects were somehow able to bypass the pumps’ security and reporting mechanism, which meant the owners would have no record of the fuel being pumped.
The stolen fuel was worth roughly $10,000.
Investigators increased patrols at all area gas stations. The suspects were nabbed when they showed up to steal again, police said.
All five are charged with theft of property.
Tyson and Oliver remain held in the Shelby County Jail with bond set at $10,000.
Oliver, Harris and Mathis have been released on bond.
“We want to make sure criminals hear this message loud and clear,” said Pelham police Chief Pat Cheatwood. “It does not pay to come to Pelham to commit crimes.”
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