Dickinson Police Arrest Three in Connection with Oil Field Equipment Theft Ring

The Dickinson Police Department announced Friday the arrest of three individuals in connection with a sophisticated theft ring that targeted oil field equipment across Stark County, recovering more than $1.2 million in stolen drilling components, copper wiring, and specialized tools from the Bakken oil fields.

The arrests conclude a six-month investigation by the Dickinson Police Department, the Stark County Sheriff's Office, and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) into a string of thefts from active drilling sites across western North Dakota.

The Scale of the Theft

The Bakken oil formation, which spans western North Dakota and eastern Montana, is one of the most active oil production regions in the United States. With hundreds of active drilling sites, the region has long been a target for theft — but investigators say the scope of this operation was unprecedented.

"This is the largest oil field theft ring we've ever dismantled in this region," said Dickinson Police Chief Joe Ciavarella. "These weren't opportunistic thieves grabbing a tool off a truck. This was an organized criminal operation with a network of buyers, transport routes, and storage facilities. They knew exactly what they were doing."

Over the course of the investigation, detectives documented the theft of 14 sets of drill pipe threads valued at approximately $35,000 each, approximately 8,000 feet of copper wiring stripped from well sites valued at $140,000, 6 pressure gauges and monitoring instruments valued at $28,000 each, 3 generator units valued at $85,000 each, and approximately $200,000 in specialized hand tools and power equipment.

The total estimated value of recovered stolen property exceeds $1.2 million.

The Investigation

The investigation began in January, when a drilling company operating south of Dickinson reported the theft of approximately $90,000 in drilling components from an active well site. Over the following weeks, similar thefts were reported at sites across Stark, Dunn, and Billings counties.

Detectives identified a pattern: the thefts occurred overnight at sites where drilling crews had left equipment staged for the next day's operations. The thieves appeared to have inside knowledge of oil field operations — they knew which items were most valuable, which could be resold quickly, and how to access secured sites without detection.

"This wasn't random," said BCI Senior Agent Mike Owen. "These suspects had experience in the oil field. They knew the equipment, they knew the terminology, and they knew where to sell it. That's what made them effective — and that's what made them hard to catch."

Through surveillance, cell phone analysis, and tips from oil field workers, investigators identified 36-year-old Travis Loomis of Dickinson as the suspected ringleader. According to court documents, Loomis — who previously worked as a drilling contractor — used his industry knowledge to identify targets and coordinate thefts. The stolen equipment was sold to buyers in Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota through a network of intermediaries.

The Arrests

On Thursday, officers executed search warrants at three locations in Dickinson and one in nearby Richardton. Three suspects were taken into custody: Travis Loomis, 36, of Dickinson — charged with conspiracy to commit theft, trafficking in stolen property, and engaging in a criminal enterprise; Derek Munson, 31, of Dickinson — charged with theft by unlawful taking and trafficking in stolen property; and Kayla Bernhardt, 28, of Belfield — charged with conspiracy and receiving stolen property.

Officers recovered approximately $1.2 million in stolen equipment at a storage facility on the west side of Dickinson, as well as $62,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from the sale of stolen items.

Impact on the Oil Industry

Oil field theft is a persistent problem in the Bakken region. According to the North Dakota Petroleum Council, oil field theft costs the industry an estimated $15 to $20 million annually in North Dakota alone, driving up production costs and ultimately affecting energy prices.

"Every dollar that's stolen from an oil field operation is a dollar that gets passed on to consumers at the pump," said Petroleum Council Vice President Kari Cutting. "This isn't just a crime against oil companies. It's a crime against everyone who buys gas or heating oil."

Chief Ciavarella said the arrests should serve as a warning to anyone considering oil field theft. "The oil field is the backbone of this region's economy," Ciavarella said. "When you steal from the oil field, you're stealing from this community. And we're going to track you down."

A City Transformed by the Oil Boom

Dickinson, a Stark County city of approximately 25,000 in southwestern North Dakota, has been profoundly shaped by the Bakken oil boom. Once a quiet agricultural and railroad town, Dickinson experienced rapid population growth, economic expansion, and an influx of oil field workers starting in the late 2000s.

The boom brought prosperity — but also challenges. Increased crime, housing shortages, and strained public services have been ongoing issues for Dickinson and surrounding communities as they adapt to the realities of an oil-based economy.

"We've seen the good and the bad of the oil boom," said Dickinson Mayor Scott Decker. "The good is jobs, economic growth, and opportunity. The bad is the criminal element that follows the money. We're committed to making sure Dickinson remains a safe, prosperous community, and arrests like these are part of that effort."

What Happens Next

Loomis, Munson, and Bernhardt are being held at the Stark County Correctional Center. Loomis's bond was set at $200,000, while Munson and Bernhardt's bonds were set at $75,000 and $50,000, respectively. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for later this month.

Chief Ciavarella said the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible. He also urged oil field companies to improve security at drilling sites, including installing surveillance cameras, securing equipment overnight, and reporting thefts promptly.

"The oil field is a big place, and we can't be everywhere," Ciavarella said. "But with the cooperation of the industry and the community, we can make it harder for thieves to operate. And when they do, we'll be ready."