KCSO Rural Crimes Unit deputies make arrests in stolen fuel cases

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crimes Investigations Unit announced several arrests as part of its look into a series of diesel fuel thefts in the Shafter, Wasco and Buttonwillow areas.

Working with the Shafter Police Department, at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, deputies arrested Donald Webb, 59, of Shafter, and David Barnum, 32, of Bakersfield, according to a KCSO news release. Both individuals had multiple felony warrants.

The men were found in the 30500 block of Orange Avenue, inside a green Ford Expedition with false license plates, with a transfer pump, hoses and multiple jugs of fuel, the release noted.

At about 12:30 p.m. Thursday, the Rural Crimes Investigations Unit also arrested Ruden Sandoval, 23, of Shafter, for allegedly driving a stolen L4400 Kubota tractor to a property in the 18200 block of Poplar Avenue, according to a KCSO news release. Sandoval then left the Kubota tractor and stole a John Deere 6430, the release noted.

He was detained by deputies and arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of stolen agriculture equipment.

Anyone with information regarding this case can call the Rural Crime Investigation Unit at 661-392-6071 or 661-861-3110.

The Kern County coroner’s office identified a woman found dead in a home in the 3600 block of Pine Meadow Drive on May 20.

Lupe Melendrez, 22, of Bakersfield, was found dead around 2:17 a.m. Deputies reported Melendrez had suffered significant injuries to her upper body.

It’s unknown what time she died, according to the coroner’s office release.

Kern County Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives reported arresting Cody Joyave, Melendrez’s 23-year-old roommate, in connection with the death.

The incident is part of an ongoing investigation.