One of the men allegedly involved in a major local fuel theft failed to appear in court Wednesday, causing county court Judge Erin Wilson to issue a warrant for his arrest.

Victoriano Cayetano Leon, 42, was arrested Dec. 13 and charged with felony theft and conspiracy along with third-degree burglary and driving under a suspended or revoked license.

Police became aware of a theft in process after an employee at a nearby business reported a white Ford F-450 truck had been loading fuel at a local gas station “for over an hour,” according to arrest documents.

After investigating officers made contact with him, Cayetano Leon was unable to provide a valid reason for taking so long at the pump or for stopping for fuel in Steamboat Springs.

“It should be noted that (Cayetano Leon) said he needed 300 gallons to fill up the semi-truck. With the flow rate being 20 gallons per minute, it should have only taken approximately 15 minutes to fill up 300 gallons, yet he was on scene filling up for over an hour,” according to the arrest documents.

Law enforcement suspects around 500 gallons of fuel was stolen because that was what was found in the vehicle. However, the exact amount allegedly stolen has not been confirmed.

Cayetano Leon’s bond was originally set at $7,500 but later lowered to $5,000. He was released from Routt County Jail in mid-December after paying the lowered bond.

A status conference for Cayetano Leon was set for 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, when he failed to appear.

According to his lawyer, Kiyomi Bolick, Cayetano Leon “currently has court-appointed counsel in two other counties,” which include Adams and Denver counties.

Bolick requested that warrant for his arrest be “stayed” until Jan. 23, which is when his next court appearance in Denver is scheduled. The Adams County court date is set for Jan. 24.

Judge Wilson rejected the request but stated that she is “willing to reinstate the bond” if Cayetano Leon contacts his lawyer.

Bolick can file a motion to request a new court date and “vacate” the warrant after confirming that she is in “good contact” with Cayetano Leon.

Wilson set bond on the new warrant at $10,000.

The other two suspects involved with fuel theft, David Caboverde and Osnel Perez Palacio, remain in custody in Routt County Jail.

Perez Palacio will appear in court on Jan. 22, and Caboverde will appear Jan. 29.