In a tale of high-tech thievery clashing with old-world crime, two East Bay men have been charged in a credit card skimming scheme that siphoned thousands of gallons of diesel fuel from Safeway stores in Santa Clara County. Yuniel Cordero of Oakland faces a litany of charges, including organized retail theft and identity theft. Henrry Umana, owner of a San Leandro trucking company, has been charged with receiving stolen property and conspiracy. These charges arise from their alleged involvement in a fuel theft operation, that caused losses exceeding $90,000.
Following a sting by Santa Clara County's District Attorney's High-Octane investigator and the Sheriff’s Office, Cordero, 40, was arrested on June 20 after a tip-off ignited an investigation into unusual activity on a victim’s credit card. Safeway, working in conjunction with DA Investigator Bret Moiseff, exposed the elaborate theft operation, which found Cordero allegedly lifting hundreds of gallons of diesel over months, "These defendants were criminally filling up their fuel tanks and their pockets, using the stolen property of others," District Attorney Jeff Rosen commented, indicating a sophisticated criminal endeavor.
DA Rosen's office provided details that last Thursday, alongside Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies and the CHP Organized Retail Theft Task Force, a raid took place at Umana’s trucking business, unearthing a stash of ill-gotten diesel. According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office, Umana, 44, purchased fuel from Cordero at significantly reduced costs, between $3.50-$3.75 a gallon, starkly below California's soaring average of over $5.
Skimming devices found at Cordero's residence point to a calculated operation—one that crafted illicit discounts off the backs of stolen credit card data. Both men were released on court orders despite the prosecution's objections and now await their adjudication, proceedings that could lead to incarceration if convictions follow through. The scheme came to light after a victim reported their credit card had been exploited at a Safeway location they had not patronized, sparking an inquiry into the pervasive criminal ruse.
