WINONA, Texas – Uriel Tizoc Sifuentes, 19, a former employee at Love’s Truck Stop in Winona, was arrested on Dec. 17 after being accused of stealing nearly $30,000 by using fraudulent gift card transactions.
According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, the thefts began in November 2023 when a representative from Love’s Truck Stop reported discrepancies in their financial records. Surveillance footage revealed that Sifuentes had been faking the purchase of $500 gift cards about 20 separate times. The store’s loss prevention team discovered the fraud after noticing irregularities in the records.
Sifuentes admitted to committing the theft during an interview with officers, stating that he made the fraudulent transactions at least twice a week. He further confessed to the crime when confronted by store officials.
Sifuentes was booked into the Smith County Jail on Dec. 17 and released later that day after posting bond. He faces third-degree theft charges for his actions.