NEWBURY PARK, Calif. — A Murrieta man was arrested in Newbury Park after deputies say he used stolen credit card information to steal more than $113,000 in fuel from gas stations across Ventura County, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office announced.
Read the Ventura County Sheriff's Office release: https://nixle.us/HSWQ7
The Report, the Loss, the Pattern
On October 17, 2026, Headquarters Patrol deputies responded to Poole Commercial Fuels, in the 3000 block of Vineyard Avenue in the unincorporated area of Oxnard, regarding a reported data breach that resulted in the fraudulent use of the company's credit cards, the Sheriff's Office stated.
The victim reported that more than $113,000 had been fraudulently charged to the company's accounts. Detectives confirmed the company's financial loss was approximately $113,000 and determined that several fraudulent purchases had been made at gas stations throughout Ventura County, the Sheriff's Office stated.
During the investigation, detectives learned the suspects were purchasing as much as $2,500 worth of fuel during a single visit, using multiple stolen credit cards to complete the transactions. Detectives also suspected the vehicles involved had been modified to store unusually large quantities of fuel, the Sheriff's Office stated.
By reviewing surveillance footage from local gas stations, detectives obtained license plate information for the suspect vehicles. The Sheriff's Office Flock Automated License Plate Reader system assisted detectives in identifying the vehicles and connecting them to additional fuel thefts throughout Ventura County, the Sheriff's Office stated.
The Return, the Arrest, the Truck
On November 4, 2026, Headquarters Detectives received information that the suspects were again using stolen credit card information at gas stations in the Newbury Park area, the Sheriff's Office stated.
Detectives responded to the area. By the time they arrived, the suspect had already stolen approximately $900 worth of fuel and left the location, the Sheriff's Office stated.
Using the Flock license plate reader system, detectives relocated the suspect vehicle at another gas station. Detectives located and detained the suspect at a gas station in the 2000 block of Borchard Road in Newbury Park, the Sheriff's Office stated.
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Further investigation revealed the suspect had again used stolen credit card information to fraudulently purchase approximately $800 worth of fuel, the Sheriff's Office stated.
Detectives identified the suspect as Tigran Gabrielian, of Murrieta, California. During a search incident to arrest, detectives located multiple blank credit cards in Gabrielian's possession, each with a Post-it note attached containing an expiration date and PIN number. Gabrielian was also in possession of a large sum of cash, which was seized as evidence, the Sheriff's Office stated.
Detectives examined the truck Gabrielian was driving, which appeared to be an ordinary work utility vehicle. Upon closer inspection, detectives discovered additional fuel tanks and large fuel bladders concealed inside the truck. The vehicle was also equipped with a pump system, including a handle and meter, allowing fuel to be transferred and measured. The truck was seized as evidence, the Sheriff's Office stated.
The Charges, the Investigation, the Tip Line
Gabrielian was booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility on nine counts of identity theft (Penal Code Section 530.5(a)) and grand theft (Penal Code Section 487(a)), the Sheriff's Office stated.
The charges are allegations. Gabrielian is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
This investigation remains ongoing, and detectives believe multiple additional suspects may be involved, the Sheriff's Office stated.
Anyone with information regarding these thefts is encouraged to come forward and contact the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.
Sources
Ventura County Sheriff's Office, "Fuel Theft Suspects Arrested," Nixle release entered November 5, 2026: https://nixle.us/HSWQ7