Upton County man arrested following attempted diesel fuel theft

UPTON COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Abel Fernandez Socarras was arrested early Saturday morning, following an alleged diesel fuel theft which resulted in a crash.

The Upton County Sheriff’s Office said in a post that in the early morning on Saturday, July 27, deputies responded to a possible diesel theft in progress on SH 349, north of Rankin. Deputies located the vehicle after it crashed and the driver fled from the scene.

While investigating the crash, deputies located a suspicious white Ford F350 pickup truck driving around the area. The driver, identified as Abel Fernandez Socarras, was arrested for driving with a suspended license.

The Texas Comptroller’s Office was notified, and further investigation revealed Socarras had stolen red diesel in his possession. Socarras was also arrested for unlawful use of a criminal instrument, as well as evade or attempt to evade fuel tax.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin.