By Shawn Henry 
Gas theft isn’t new. But this one hits different. A man was caught on surveillance video sneaking into a gated parking lot in Clovis, California, and siphoning fuel from a vehicle used to transport students with intellectual disabilities.
Staff at the Diamond Learning Center in Clovis say frustration is mounting after someone broke into one of their vans and took gas right out of it.
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(Video: The Diamond Learning Center) pic.twitter.com/Beojcm9rzn
The incident occurred Sunday at Diamond Learning Center, a daycare and support program that provides services for individuals with special needs. According to video released by the facility, the suspect entered a gated parking lot and went directly to a van used for student transportation.
Footage shows the man approaching the vehicle, then leaving the property minutes later carrying a large gas container. The theft appeared to be targeted and carried out quickly, with no interaction with staff or others on site.
Facility operators said the stolen fuel came from a vehicle relied on for daily transportation, meaning the loss goes beyond the cost of gasoline. For organizations like Diamond Learning Center, disruptions to transportation can affect schedules, staffing, and the individuals who depend on consistent service.
The incident comes as fuel prices in California remain among the highest in the country, a factor law enforcement and industry observers say has contributed to an increase in gas theft in recent years. While modern vehicles often include anti-siphon systems, thieves have adapted by targeting accessible vehicles or using tools to extract fuel more quickly.
Work vehicles and transport vans are often at higher risk because they typically carry larger fuel loads and are parked in predictable locations.
Authorities have not announced any arrests in connection with the incident, and the identity of the suspect has not been released. The facility shared the surveillance footage publicly in hopes that someone may recognize the individual.
Investigations into fuel theft cases can be difficult, particularly when incidents occur at night and are completed within minutes. However, similar cases in other regions have led to arrests after tips from the public.
For now, the incident serves as another example of how rising costs and opportunistic theft can intersect, with consequences that extend beyond property loss and into the daily operations of community services.
John Lloyd