On 10-31-12, at approximately 2:40am, Hemet Police Officer Dean Benjamin was conducting extra patrol in the area of south Palm Avenue. Officer Benjamin entered the Salvation Army parking lot and observed a subject immediately start walking away from a large truck belonging to the Salvation Army. The man was holding a garden hose in his hand and dropped the hose as Officer Benjamin approached him. Officer Benjamin saw a trail of gasoline on the ground and the man had gasoline on his clothes.
During the investigation, It was discovered that the man had cut a gas line on the truck and was filling up a 5 gallon metal gas can. Additional evidence was located and secured at the scene.
Hemet Police Officer Art Paez searched the area and located a small pick-up truck parked approximately a block away. In the bed of the pick-up truck Officer Paez saw a 40 gallon metal barrel with a pump nozzle containing gasoline, a 5 gallon metal gas can containing gasoline, and some cutting tools. It was learned that the man had arrived in the pick-up truck.
Jorge Monge, 36 years from San Jacinto was arrested for felony theft with priors and the pick-up truck was impounded following the arrest. Monge was later transported to Riverside County Jail.