FREDERICKSON, WA — Two Pierce County men, Gurdip Singh Aujla and Gurmandeep Singh, were charged with felony first-degree theft Monday after allegedly stealing more than 10,000 gallons of diesel gasoline from an unmanned fuel station in Frederickson.
An investigation by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) linked the thefts to two trucking companies, including local GSA Trucking based in Auburn. The other company, based in California, was not charged due to limited evidence.
The fuel station operator noticed sales did not align with fuel reserves and alerted authorities. Surveillance footage showed suspects blocking cameras with tractor-trailers and manipulating the fuel pump counters with metal rods to underreport gallons dispensed.
While the pumps continued fueling at normal rates, the counters recorded only a fraction of the fuel taken. In one case, suspects pumped 647 gallons but were charged for only 20 gallons, causing a $2,667 loss.
A months-long investigation by Snider Fuel and PCSO revealed Aujla and Singh stole more than $41,000 worth of diesel between 2023 and 2024. Credit card transactions linked to GSA Trucking and Department of Licensing records helped identify the suspects.
The suspects would fuel multiple tanks across tractor-trailers and avoid detection by leaving the pump area when others arrived.
Singh and Aujla are scheduled for arraignment on October 14.
