Garden Grove man suspected of stealing gas from several OC gas stations

Orange County Sheriff’s Department
NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Lt. Jeff Hallock, (714) 904-7042, Gail Krause, (714) 647-1840

Suspect Arrested in Theft of Gasoline from Service Station

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. – (April 1, 2014) – On Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at approximately 10 a.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Zahir Shabazz, 49, Garden Grove after he stole approximately 120 gallons of gasoline from a 76 gas station.

Shabazz was taken into custody by deputies after the gas station employee confronted Shabazz and physically detained him until deputies arrived.

At approximately 6 a.m., deputies arrived to the 76 gas station and located Shabazz being detained by the gas station employee. The employee indicated he witnessed Shabazz pumping gasoline into several large containers in the back of his pick-up truck. The gasoline pump had been manipulated to allow Shabazz the ability to pump gasoline without being charged.

The employee confronted Shabazz as he was getting into his vehicle to leave the location. The employee pulled Shabazz from the vehicle and physically restrained him until deputies arrived. The unoccupied vehicle proceeded forward through the parking lot and collided with an electrical box.

Shabazz is suspected of stealing gasoline from several other service stations in the Los Angeles area. Orange County

Sheriff’s Department investigators are currently working with other law enforcement agencies to determine any connection.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Orange County Sheriff’s Department South Investigations (949) 425-1901.

Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

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