Over the past several weeks, an oilfield company in Taft had reported several thefts from one of their oilfield leases. The oilfield company reported someone stole several high pressure valves and regulators worth approximately $170,000.00. Through surveillance video, detectives saw a black and grey van driving on the property on the dates of the thefts.
On July 22, 2015, the oilfields private security called the Kern County Sheriff’s Office stating the black and grey van was back on the property and possibly stealing more oilfield equipment. When deputies from the Taft Substation arrived in the area, they located the vehicle and contacted the occupants, TONY WOLFE(52) from Taft, KATIE WOLFE(19) from Taft, and LEWIS TAYLOR(21) from Taft. During the investigation, Rural Crime detectives and Taft deputies located approximately $72,000.00 worth of stolen oilfield equipment at one of the suspect’s residence in the 100 block of Kern Street in Taft. TONY WOLFE, KATIE WOLFE and LEWIS TAYLOR were arrested for violation of PC 487(a), grand theft, PC 182(a)(1), conspiracy, and PC 496(a), possession of stolen property. All three were booked into jail.
