Charges against an East Bay pair for a San Jose Safeway gas scam
Two East Bay males are accused of participating in a conspiracy that involved the theft of thousands of gallons of diesel fuel from South Bay Safeway gas stations using credit card information that had been stolen.
Santa Clara County prosecutors claimed that Yuniel Cordero, 40, of Oakland, is suspected of stealing gasoline from Safeway stores in the San Jose area on many occasions. Cordero is accused of pumping $90,000 worth of stolen gas into a homemade bladder in the back of a truck over a period of several months.
Prosecutors claim that he later sold the diesel to Henry Umana’s trucking business in San Leandro at a reduced price.
On June 25, Cordero was presented before the court. In addition to 61 counts of grand theft and 14 counts of petty theft, he is accused of identity theft, organized retail theft, and conspiracy. The 44-year-old Umana is accused of conspiracy, receiving stolen property, and organized retail theft.
District Attorney Jeff Rosen stated, “These defendants were using the stolen property of others to criminally fill their fuel tanks and their pockets.” “This scheme is out of gas and out of business thanks to our high-octane investigator and the Sheriff’s Office.”
When someone claimed that their credit card had been used at a Safeway even though they had never shopped there, the scam was first discovered. Bret Moiseff, a DA Investigator, located the thief.
When Cordero was arrested on June 20, investigators allegedly discovered credit card skimming devices at his residence.
According to the prosecution, Umana paid $3.50 to $3.75 per gallon for gas from Cordero. In California, a gallon of diesel typically costs more than $5. Upon searching Umana’s trucking company, DA investigators, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies, and the California Highway Patrol Organized Retail Theft Task Force discovered hundreds of gallons of stolen petroleum.
In spite of opposition from the District Attorney’s Office, a judge on Monday allowed Cordero and Umana to be released from custody.(News Source)