LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department said it has received reports of additional gas thefts that have occurred in the city this week.
Since Sunday night, 11 separate gas theft cases have been reported in the Lakeport city limits, according to police.
Just before 5 p.m. Wednesday Lakeport Police officers were dispatched to the 800 block of Third Street to investigate the report of fuel thefts from three vehicles in that area, according to Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.
Rasmussen said an estimated 60 gallons of gasoline were taken from those three vehicles.
Based on the investigation so far, police believe the fuel thefts on Third Street occurred early Tuesday morning, according to Rasmussen.
He said officers believe these newly reported thefts are related to the eight gas thefts reported on Sunday and Monday nights in the area of Del Lago, 15th Street and the 1800 block of S. Main Street.
A white Ford Ranger with passenger side fender and bumper damage was spotted at the scene of a gasoline theft in the 1800 block of S. Main Street, Rasmussen said.
Witnesses also have reported seeing two male subjects associated with the pickup at the S. Main Street theft site, according to police.
Rasmussen said the driver was described as a white male adult, 19 to 23 years old, with a thin build and short hair, and wearing a flat bill cap.
The second suspect, for whom there is not a detailed description, is believed to have been casing the area or acting as a lookout, and was left behind when the driver fled the scene, Rasmussen said.
Citizens are advised to continue to watch for and immediately report suspicious activity to police.
Anyone with information on any of the fuel thefts is asked to contact the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491 or by private Facebook message at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lakeport-Police-Department/176101292414821?ref=stream .
If a theft is seen in progress, call 911.