City of Menlo Park employee arrested for stealing from city fuel pumps

In April of 2013, the Menlo Park Police Department was advised by the Menlo Park Public Works Department that there was a suspected theft of fuel from the City gas pumps located at the Corporation Yard. The Menlo Park Police Department initiated an investigation into the possible thefts and discovered that approximately $1,800 worth of fuel was stolen from the city fuel pumps over a one and a half year period.

The Menlo Park Police Department Investigations unit developed a possible suspect in the thefts, and on July 23, 2013 made an arrest. Juan Alvarez, a 51-year-old resident of Redwood City and employee of the City of Menlo Park’s Public Works Department, was arrested and booked into San Mateo County Jail on three felony charges: 508 PC-embezzlement by employee, 460(b) PC-second degree burglary, and 487(a) PC-grand theft.

Alvarez has been subsequently released on bail from the San Mateo County Jail. The case has been submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for review.