A man in Volusia County, Florida, was arrested after allegedly stealing approximately 300 gallons of diesel fuel from local Circle K pumps. As per the authorities, he was caught red-handed at one of the locations he had previously visited, and items such as a large fuel tank and a magnet were found.
According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office (VSO), the incidents detailed above took place between July 6 and July 12. The VSO identified the perpetrator as 40-year-old Yusniel Lara, a Deltona resident.
The man is accused of visiting multiple Circle K stations across Deltona and DeLand and stealing fuel, with other thefts reported in Sanford and Ocala. This resulted in the estimated loss of about 300 gallons.
Authorities began investigating the incidents across Volusia County. They were all linked to a single vehicle: a white Ram 2500 pickup truck.
Suspect Located
Through the use of license plate reader data, they managed to identify the truck. The VSO also came across Lara’s name as its registered owner.
A week and a half after the last reported incident in Deltona and DeLand, the VSO received an alert. They had previously entered Lara’s Ram into a system as a felony vehicle, and they got a hit.
Therefore, on Wednesday, July 22, police officers with the DeLand Police Department responded to a Circle K located in the city. According to the VSO, the station had been a previous target of Lara’s, suggesting he might be returning for a double dip.
Caught Red Handed
DeLand police officers responded to the Circle K and encountered Lara’s white pickup truck. He was immediately placed under arrest.
Shortly after, VSO detectives arrived at the scene to investigate. There, they encountered several items that the sheriff’s office determined to be meant for fuel theft.
These include a large magnet designed to steal fuel from pumps placed on the driver’s seat, the VSO said. The pickup bed had a large auxiliary fuel tank with the cap open, yet empty. Finally, the gas pump had a pried-off access panel, and a pry tool was found in Lara’s driver’s door compartment.
Charges Detailed
Yusniel Lara is now facing multiple charges in connection with the fuel theft incidents. The VSO initially announced multiple counts of larceny, but additional charges remain a possibility as the case continues to be investigated.
Jail records show that Lara was booked into Volusia County Jail. He was charged with grand theft (more than $750 but less than $5,000), obtaining fuel through a pump breach, tampering with a fuel dispenser, possessing a device to alter a fuel dispenser, and unauthorized breach/access to a fuel dispenser.
If convicted of the grand theft charge, Lara could spend up to 5 years in prison. The value of the stolen property determines the severity of the charge. In this case, at an average of $5.213 per diesel gallon, the 40-year-old is accused of stealing $1,563.9 worth of diesel, a third-degree grand theft offense.