RCPD Snags Married Couple in Connection With Valentine’s Day Gas Theft

A married couple spent Valentine’s Day in jail after being arrested in connection with a break-in and gas theft in the early hours of Feb. 13, a Rancho Cordova police detective said.

Leroy Meyers, 37, and Tracy Meyers, 38, were taken into custody after the Rancho Cordova Police Department conducted surveillance on a yard that had been broken into a week earlier. The yard, located at 3012 Gold Canal Drive, stores gas and vehicles for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District and Rancho Cordova code enforcement.

During the original break-in, the suspects allegedly jumped the fence to the yard and took gas, vehicle parts and remotes that operated the gate to the yard, Detective Sergeant Pete James said. Over the next week, the remote had been used several times and more gas had been stolen, he said.

Detectives decided to try to catch the alleged gas thieves in the act. “We ended up setting up surveillance, and right before 2 a.m. on Saturday morning we saw Leroy Meyers enter,” James said. ”He was a very careful, very methodical. He would jump over the fence and stop and wait and listen.”

Finally, when Meyers allegedly used a remote to let his car into the yard and began to gas up his vehicle, James said, detectives walked out to arrest him. In the car was a passenger, who they later found out was Meyers’ wife, along with the remote control used to enter the yard.

“We didn’t know [they were husband and wife] until we arrested them,” James said. ”It’s kind of ironic that on Valentine’s Day they’re in jail.”

Both Leroy and Tracy are currently being held in Sacramento County Jail on suspicion of burglary and receiving stolen property. Leroy, who according to court records is on a five-year probation term for grand theft, is also being held on suspicion of probation violation.