"It was inside the internal workings of the gas pump, and what sounds like how it works is when someone installed it, they did inconspicuously, you know, when no one seen and they would drive up to it be able to turn the plug on through their Bluetooth on their phone and bypass the payment method on the gas bottle," Christopher Greer with the Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer's Office.
In a social media post, the Tulare County District Attorney's Office says the Bluetooth-based device opens and closes gas station valves without authorization.
One gas station reportedly had 1,800 gallons of fuel stolen.
Now the Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner's Office is encouraging gas station owners, employees and customers to be extra vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
"Be mindful of people coming in, how long they're at the gas pump for, in the middle of the night. You know, look at your cameras. Are they tampering with that? Do more surveillance. Check your devices," Greer.
If caught, convicted thieves can face serious consequences, but because the device can be activated remotely, it is difficult to track its users.
"They use wireless frequencies, so they get lost into the atmosphere whenever they're used. The only real way to track them is if they're there when the event is happening, and that can make it hard to capture these criminals," explains Marvin Lopez Rangel, owner of Marvin's IT Services.
Marvin's IT Services in the South Valley also encourages locals to be aware and says there are ways gas stations and individuals can protect their own devices.
"Businesses should upgrade to newer encrypted systems and increase physical security of their area, if possible. The average consumer can protect their own devices by using what's called a Faraday pouch or a Faraday box. Faraday's work by blocking the wireless signals to things like your key fobs for your car or your garage door for your remote, so that thieves can't steal that wireless connection," explains Marvin.
Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer's Office says you can report any suspicious activity to their office by calling (559) 684-3350.
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