“OPERATION FILLER UP” NETS SEVERAL ARRESTS AS DEPUTIES BUST GAS THEFT RING
3850 Justice El Paso, TX 79938 
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Direct: (915) 538-2119
Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)
EMAIL: jtovar@epcounty.com
Release Date / Time: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 3:30 PM
SECTION: El Paso County Sheriff's Office (LOWER VALLEY PATROL / STRIKE TEAM)
EVENT: DEPUTIES BUST GAS THEFT RING / SEVERAL ARRESTED
LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: 13181 Montana & 3101 N. Zaragoza EL PASO COUNTY,TX
DATE / TIME: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 8:30 AM
RESULT: SEVERAL ARRESTS MADE
EL PASO COUNTY, TX- During the early part of September, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip informing of the illegal sale of gasoline at a location in far east El Paso County. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Strike Team was provided the information for investigation. Strike Team Deputies commenced surveillance at the location and established that multiple crimes were being committed at two different locations by several subjects;13181 Montana & 3101 N. Zaragoza in far east El Paso County, TX. During the surveillance, Deputies discovered that tanker trucks were being loaded with fuel from a pipeline terminal within El Paso County. The tankers were then driven to two separate locations in the Montana Vista area where drivers would then off load several hundred gallons of unleaded gas depriving the owner of that fuel. The fuel was transferred into various types of containers, and then the fuel was resold at below market cost and with out tax. The delivery of stolen fuel was done several times a day, every day.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Texas Comptroller Public Accounts/Criminal Investigations Division, Texas Department of Public Safety and the El Paso Fire Marshall’s Office launched “OPERATION FILLER UP” investigating their findings. During the investigation, arrest warrants were obtained for several people identified during the surveillance investigation as participating in criminal activity.
Several individuals were all taken into custody at the identified locations an estimated total of 2,335 gallons of unleaded fuel were also seized. After further investigation & talking for all parties, 7 subjects were arrested. While searching a vehicle belonging to one of the subjects involved Deputies discovered 2 black bundles in the middle counsel of the vehicle wrapped up in what appeared to be black electrical tape. Deputies went on to find 3 white plastic baggies with a white powdery substance which tested positive for cocaine. The total weights of the baggies were 20.5 grams. SALVADOR ARMENDARIZ (60), the apparent mastermind / ringleader of the illegal operation was charged with POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE (COCAINE).
7 ARRESTED IN GAS THEFT RING:
SALVADOR ARMENDARIZ (60)
of the 2400 block of Juliette Low El Paso, TX
 
STATUS: OUT ON BOND RELEASED 09-24-09 9:06 AM
CHARGES: ENGAGING IN MOTOR FUEL TRANSACTION W/O A PERMIT- 3rd Degree Felony Texas Tax Code 162.403 NO. 25 - $50,000 BOND
POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE >4g <200g (COCAINE)- (20.5 grams)- $75,000 BOND |
CESAR OCHOA (48) of the 8800 block of Scott Simpson El Paso, TX
STATUS: REMAINS AT EPCDF
CHARGE: ENGAGING IN MOTOR FUEL TRANSACTION W/O A PERMIT- 3rd Degree Felony Texas Tax Code 162.403 NO. 25- $50,000 BOND | LORENZO ERNESTO NEVAREZ ARMENDARIZ (45) of Juarez, Mexico
 STATUS: REMAINS AT EPCDF
CHARGE:TRANSPORTING MOTOR FUEL UNDER FALSE CARGO MANIFEST- 3rd Degree Felony Texas Tax Code 162.403 NO. 24-$50,000 BOND | RAFAEL CORDOVA MOLINA (44) of Juarez, Mexico
STATUS: REMAINS AT EPCDF
CHARGE:TRANSPORTING MOTOR FUEL UNDER FALSE CARGO MANIFEST- 3rd Degree Felony Texas Tax Code 162.403 NO. 24-
$50,000 BOND |
ELISEO PONCE (41) of Juarez, Mexico
STATUS: REMAINS AT EPCDF
CHARGE:TRANSPORTING MOTOR FUEL UNDER FALSE CARGO MANIFEST- 3rd Degree Felony Texas Tax Code 162.403 NO. 24-
$50,000 BOND | JOSE MENDOZA OLIVAS (43)of Juarez, Mexico
STATUS: REMAINS AT EPCDF
CHARGE:TRANSPORTING MOTOR FUEL UNDER FALSE CARGO MANIFEST- 3rd Degree Felony Texas Tax Code 162.403 NO. 24-
$50,000 BOND | JOSE DOLORES SANDOVAL (47) of Juarez, Mexico
STATUS: REMAINS AT EPCDF
CHARGE:TRANSPORTING MOTOR FUEL UNDER FALSE CARGO MANIFEST- 3rd Degree Felony Texas Tax Code 162.403 NO. 24-
$50,000 BOND |
MORE ARRESTS ARE FORTHCOMING.
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.
NO OTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
(PHOTOS: COURTESY EPCSO)
END OF NEWS RELEASE
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2001 was the first Sheriff’s Office in the State of Texas to be Internationally Accredited from CALEA and is now the recipient of the First CALEA Tri-Arc award in Texas (4th in the Nation) to have accreditations in: Law Enforcement, Communications, Training Academy.