GAINES COUNTY, Texas — Five individuals were arrested on Nov. 9 near Nadine Road in connection with a large-scale theft of steel and industrial materials, the Gaines County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Deputies responded to reports of suspicious activity and found the suspects actively stealing steel rods, pipes, and other equipment using multiple semi-trucks with flatbed trailers. All equipment was removed from the scene, and the suspects were taken to the Gaines County Jail.
Investigators later discovered that several loads of steel had already been stolen over the weekend and stored at a location in Odessa.
The investigation is ongoing, in coordination with the Permian Basin Oilfield Theft Task Force, as authorities work to recover the stolen materials.
The suspects arrested for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and Theft of Property valued $30K-$150K include:
Ricardo Flores
David Holguin
Juan Jacquez Sanchez
Eluid De La Cruz
Luis Medrano Rubio
