April 23, 2022 - Detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Ag Task Force have arrested 29-year-old Amarjot Mangat of Fresno. He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail. He faces charges of auto theft, grand theft, committing a felony while out on bail and he also had an active warrant related to domestic violence. His bail is just shy of $500,000.

Around 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, deputies responded to a commercial burglary in progress at a ranch located on the 9600 block of W. California Ave. in Fresno. Employees told deputies they witnessed a man in a water truck stealing diesel from the ranch’s commercial size fuel tank. The suspect, later identified as Amarjot Mangat, abandoned the water truck and ran away. Deputies searched the area but were unable to find Mangat.

Shortly after 8:30 a.m., ag detectives were alerted to a theft in progress of a John Deere tractor valued at $15,000. Detectives responded to the area of Monroe and Church Avenues. There they found Mangat seated in the tractor asleep, with the engine still running. Mangat was placed under arrest. He is well-known in the community as a prolific thief who works with other criminals to target property belonging to farmers.

A further investigation revealed the water truck, valued at $175,000, was recently stolen from a location in the city of Fresno. It was filled with 200 gallons (approximately $1,200) of diesel that was stolen from the location on W. California Ave. The diesel was returned to the ranch and both the water truck and tractor have been returned to their rightful owners.

Fresno Police arrested Mangat in February 2022 on charges of grand theft and domestic violence. He posted bond and bailed out of jail after spending less than a day in custody. Hence his new charge of committing a felony while out on bail.

Anyone with additional information about Amarjot Mangat or his associates is asked to please contact the Ag Task Force at (559) 600-8150 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Source:  Fresno County Sheriff's Office