BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A 33-year-old man was arrested for allegedly stealing diesel fuel from commercial fuel stations.
The Bakersfield Police Department arrested 33-year-old Manuel Hernandez on Wednesday, October 28th, 2026, for his participation in a series of diesel fuel thefts from commercial fuel stations.
Hernandez was booked into the Kern County Lerdo Detention Facility for grand theft, felony vandalism, and conspiracy.
Police said BPD’s detectives from both robbery and narcotics units, as well as patrol officers and officers with the Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT), worked closely with BPD’s Real Time Information Center (RTIC) to find and arrest Hernandez.
According to police, an arrest warrant was issued for Hernandez’s home, where investigators recovered about 250 gallons of diesel fuel, siphoning equipment, electronic devices, and about $20,000 in cash. RTIC provided valuable assistance through the use of the automated license plate reader (ALPR) system, helping establish the suspect’s vehicle involvement in the fuel theft offenses.
The investigation cleared six Bakersfield Police Department cases, with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office anticipating the addition of at least four more cases.