According to official records obtained by El Tejano, the following details come from court papers filed in Starr County.
š Three men face felony charges. Security cameras caught them stealing diesel from a fuel terminal in Delmita, Texas. The theft was at Delmita Products Terminal, 1189 FM 2294. Agents say about 80,000 gallons went missing. The three men charged took 29,200 gallons worth $69,375.58.
ā½ The fuel was owned by Triton Trading LLC. Co-owner Javier Pantoja told Texas DPS Agent Javier Riojas about the theft on March 3, 2026. Pantoja had a contract. It proved Triton owned the diesel.
š„ Cameras got it all on tape. The night was February 18, 2026. Josue Rolando Mireles, 43, showed up at the tank site between 10:30 PM and 11:30 PM. He drove a truck and pulled a fuel tanker. He took 7,400 gallons worth $17,581.66. Sergio Cruz, 57, also showed up that same night. Cruz took 14,400 gallons worth $34,212.96.
š The next night was February 19, 2026. Ubaldo Pedraza Jr., 34, got there between midnight and 1:00 AM. He drove a truck pulling a fuel tanker owned by South Texas Fuel Haulers, LLC. He took 7,400 gallons worth $17,581.66.
š Agent Riojas watched the footage on March 19, 2026. Charges were filed in April 2026. The men tapped into tanks, hooked up pipes, and took the diesel without asking.
āļø All three face a fuel theft charge. It falls under Texas law, section 31.19. That is a Third Degree Felony. It can mean 2 to 10 years in prison.
The cases are in JP Court Precinct 4, Starr County. Judge Valerie Clarke is in charge.
