An El Paso Fire Department civilian employee was arrested for allegedly stealing gasoline from city gas pumps to use in his family's personal vehicles, an El Paso County constable said.
EPFD employee Oscar
Maldonado, 51, was arrested as part of a public corruption investigation by the Texas Rangers that started with a tip to the office of El Paso County Constable Louie Aguilar of East Side Precinct 4, stated a constable's office news release.
One of Maldonado's neighbor in Anthony, New Mexico, reported regularly seeing him carrying five-gallon fuel cans out of a marked EPFD vehicle and then pouring the gasoline into the tanks of his personal vehicles, the constable's office stated.
Since the case possibly involved public corruption, constables contacted the Texas Rangers of the Texas Department of Public Safety for assistance, the constable's office stated.
Surveillance of Maldonado was established. Investigator obtained video at various city fuel pump locations where on multiple occasion Maldonado was allegedly filmed using his city employee fuel pump access intended for city vehicles, the constable's office stated.
Maldonado is accused of filling five-gallon fuel cans that he would place into a marked EPFD take-home vehicle. He would then go home where he, his wife and daughter would then fuel their personal cars, the constable's office said.
The investigation included assistance of the El Paso Fire Department administration and the city's Information Technology Department.
EPFD employee placed on leave
Maldonado was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 1, on charges of abuse of official capacity and theft over $100, but less than $750.
El Paso County jail records show he was released that same day after posting a total bond of $4,000. No attorney is listed for him on court records.
The city of El Paso said in a statement that Maldonado has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
"The EPFD is cooperating fully with the investigating agencies. As this remains an active criminal proceeding, the Department will not comment further," read the city-issued statement.
The city fuel theft occurred amid high gas prices nationwide due to U.S. war with Iran. AAA reported a national gas price average of $4.12 a gallon as of Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso FD employee accused of stealing from city gas pumps
