HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Ten people were arrested last month in connection with a statewide diesel fuel theft scheme, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
The arrests were made after a six-month investigation led by HCSO’s Organized Crime Task Force.
Operation Van Diesel uncovered an elaborate, organized scheme that stole thousands of gallons of diesel fuel from gas stations across Florida.
The investigation began in March when a trend of fuel thefts in Hillsborough County was identified, the sheriff’s office said. This investigation expanded statewide into Orlando, Jacksonville and other areas.
The suspects used modified Dodge and Chrysler minivans equipped with 500-gallon tanks, pumps, hidden compartments, and cut-through floorboards to siphon diesel fuel directly from underground gas station tanks, HCSO said. This allowed them to steal hundreds of gallons of diesel in minutes.
The stolen fuel was brought to trucking yards and resold at a discounted rate.
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Detectives uncovered more than 350 thefts across multiple counties, totaling more than 185,000 gallons of stolen diesel fuel worth about $650,000 in retail losses to businesses such as Racetrac and Speedway/7-Eleven, the sheriff’s office said.
With the support of the Office of the Statewide Prosecutor, investigators secured 103 search warrants, 41 subpoenas and 11 arrest warrants.
HCSO deputies and partner agencies executed these warrants across several jurisdictions on Aug. 5.
In addition to nine arrests made that day, 19 vehicles were seized and more than 30,000 gallons of diesel fuel, worth more than $100,000, were recovered.
In total, 10 suspects have been arrested and face RICO violations and other charges. Additional charges are possible as the investigation continues.
“Fuel theft of this magnitude puts drivers at risk, undermines the integrity of our fuel supply, and robs businesses in our communities,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “To those who think organized crime can go undetected, let this case be a reminder: we are watching, we are working together, and we will hold you accountable.”
