Man arrested in theft of 500 gallons of school bus fuel
In Ripon, Calif., police catch a man allegedly in the act of stealing more than $2,000 worth of fuel from a storage tank used by school buses. The suspect reportedly had a trailer with hoses and pumping equipment for fast siphoning.
RIPON, Calif. — Police here caught a man allegedly in the act of stealing more than $2,000 worth of fuel used for school buses.
Local news sources reported that just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday, the Ripon Police Department got a call about a theft in progress at Ripon High School. When officers arrived, they found a white truck with a large trailer next to the fuel storage tank at the school.
The Record reported that in the trailer, police said they found hoses and pumping equipment for fast siphoning, about 500 gallons of fuel and a man in hiding, Joe Henry Leonardo Sr. Leonardo was arrested on suspicion of felony grand theft.
School starts next Wednesday for Ripon Unified School District.
Similar fuel thefts have hit some school districts in Texas recently. Authorities in Nacogdoches said last month that thieves had stolen diesel and gasoline — several hundred gallons at a time — from four districts in the area.
More Management
EverDriven Launches Route Consolidation Calculator to Estimate Diesel Savings
As diesel prices hit record highs, the largest alternative transportation provider says a 10% route consolidation could save a 120-route district more than $78,000 a year in fuel alone.
Read More →
Zum Secures Continued Financing Support for School Bus Expansion
Generate Private Credit has financed approximately $75 million in school bus deployments across three states, supporting more than 500 buses as Zum expands across the county.
Read More →
Beyond Discipline: A Different Approach to Student Behavior on the Bus
After implementing a dean of students program in Oregon, North Clackamas is seeing positive improvements. Here’s how it worked. The Route is brought to you by IC Bus.
Read More →
A Dean of Transportation's Different Approach to Student Behavior on the School Bus
After implementing a dean of students program in Oregon, North Clackamas is seeing positive improvements on the bus. Here’s how it worked.
Read More →
Inside NAPT ACTS 2026: Highlights from Louisville
From federal updates and student behavior strategies to new school bus technology and industry awards, see highlights from NAPT ACTS 2026 in Louisville.
Read More →
Meet the 2025 School Bus Driver Hero Winner: Annette Brown
We caught up with Wa-Nee Community Schools' Annette Brown on site at SBFX, where she was named the 2026 School Bus Driver Hero Award winner. Hear about her reaction, what she loves most about being a school bus driver, and more!
Read More →
Predictability Is Like Ketchup (According to 6-Year-Olds)
To students, a different school bus can feel like a full-blown crisis. One driver reflects on why familiar routines, showing up on time, and being reliably boring matter more than we think.
Read More →
Samsara Launches Free Driver Rewards Program
The new Driver Perks program gives eligible professional drivers access to discounts and offers without adding a cost for participating fleets.
Read More →
How Tax-Exempt Municipal Leases Can Help Finance School Buses
Let’s explore school bus financing options, including municipal leases, vendor payable accounts, and balloon payments, and how they can help stretch fleet budgets.
Read More →
Nominate Rising School Transportation Pros Under 40!
We’re searching for the next generation of leaders making an impact across the K-12 student transportation industry to recognize as SBF’s 2027 Trailblazers. Nominations are open now!
Read More →