Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office: 

On 05-05-2013, approximately 7:00 a.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by an employee of the McKinleyville Community Services District (M.C.S.D.) regarding a vandalism and theft. A deputy met with the employee at the end of Letz Lane, McKinleyville. The employee told the deputy unknown suspect(s) cut and removed the gate to their building located at the end of Letz Lane using bolt cutters which were found at the scene. The suspect(s) then cut the diesel tank intake fuel line and attached a garden hose to it. Once the hose was attached the suspects removed approximately 150 gallons of red dye diesel from the tank. The employee believed the crime occurred between 5-4-2013 and 5-5-2013 during the late night or early morning hours.

There was a large amount of fuel spilled on the ground and was leaking into a drainage ditch and then into a stream. M.C.S.D. immediately worked to contain the spilled diesel and California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with Humboldt County Environmental Health were notified and responded to the scene.

M.C.S.D. had placed a camera on top of the building because of a previous incident in December of 2012 when 130 gallons of diesel was stolen, and that camera was stolen by the thieves. Total loss this time was estimated at $2000.00.

Anyone with information for the Sheriffs Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriffs Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.