Deputies: Couple Arrested After Truck Gets Stuck In Mud While Attempting To Steal Gas
MANTECA (CBS13) – Two people were arrested in Manteca on Christmas night after their rented moving truck got stuck in the mud as they attempted to steal gas from some construction equipment, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's department.
Deputies got a call about some suspicious activity in the area of Northbound Highway 99 and East French Camp Road.
When they arrived, they found a white Budget rental panel truck in the middle of a field stuck in the mud next to a truck, a semi-truck, an excavator and a "bobcat".
The couple in the rental truck, Erik and Shannon Miller, told deputies they were traveling from Fresno to San Francisco and were running short on money. They admitted they were trying to steal some gas to continue their journey when their truck got stuck. Erik Miller also told them he had attempted to hotwire one of the pieces of construction equipment to try and free his truck.
However, deputies discovered a 100 gallon fuel tank setup in the back of the Miller's rented panel truck along with an electric fuel pump and a series of siphon hoses. Deputies also discovered Erik Miller had an outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Santa Clara County and that Shannon Miller had a domestic violence restraining order against him.
Both Erik and Shannon Miller were arrested and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on charges of theft and possession of burglary tools. Erik Miller also faces charges of tampering with a vehicle and violating a restraining order. He was also taken into custody on the warrant out of Santa Clara County.
