Six Arrested in Major Texas Oil Theft Investigation

A long-running investigation into an alleged organized oil theft operation has resulted in six arrests and the seizure of more than $12 million in cash, vehicles, jewelry, petroleum products, and bank accounts across Texas and Oklahoma.

The Texas Department of Public Safety's Criminal Investigations Division Organized Oilfield Theft Prevention Unit executed a series of search and arrest warrants on August 12 as part of the investigation into Vallee, a Texas-based oil and gas company suspected of participating in the theft and trafficking of stolen petroleum products.

The investigation has already reached five counties across two states, with 17 search warrants executed in Reeves, Rockwall, Kaufman and Hunt counties in Texas and Garvin County, Oklahoma.

Six individuals, including members of the company's corporate leadership, have been arrested on state charges being prosecuted by the 143rd Judicial District Attorney's Office.

The seizures paint a picture of the state of the investigation. Authorities took possession of 60 motor vehicles and off-road vehicles valued at approximately $2.85 million, along with 34 luxury watches and pieces of jewelry worth about $443,000. Investigators also seized $786,215 in cash and approximately 2,600 barrels of petroleum products with an estimated market value of $220,402.

Eight bank accounts containing an estimated total of more than $8 million were also seized as part of asset forfeiture proceedings.

The operation brought together an extensive network of law enforcement agencies, including DPS, the FBI, El Paso Midland Resident Agency, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, multiple county sheriff's offices and district attorneys, and the 143rd Judicial District Attorney's Office.

DPS said the investigation remains active and ongoing, with additional arrests and seizures anticipated as investigators continue pursuing the alleged criminal enterprise.

The operation highlights the scale of Texas' efforts to combat organized oilfield theft and protect the state's massive energy industry from criminal activity targeting petroleum products.