A 40-year-old Deltona man was apprehended at a local Circle K gas station after allegedly using specialized tools to tamper with commercial fuel pumps and steal hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel.
According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, the investigation began after Circle K gas stations in Deltona and DeLand reported multiple fuel thefts on Monday, July 6, and Sunday, July 12. In total, approximately 300 gallons of diesel fuel were reportedly stolen during those incidents.
VCSO stated that similar diesel thefts were also reported in Sanford and Ocala.
While reviewing video surveillance footage from the affected Circle K gas stations, the same white Ram 2500 pickup truck was allegedly observed at the scene of each theft. Detectives utilized license plate reader (LPR) data to track down the truck, which was registered to Yusniel Lara.
After identifying the vehicle, authorities entered Lara’s truck into the regional LPR system as a “felony vehicle.” On Wednesday, July 22, an LPR camera in DeLand flagged the tag, alerting law enforcement that the truck had returned to the same Circle K where fuel had previously been stolen.
DeLand Police Department officers responded to the gas station and detained Lara while VCSO detectives arrived to conduct a search.
On one of the gas pumps, detectives reportedly found an access panel that had been pried open. Inside the truck’s cab and bed, a pry tool was allegedly spotted in the driver’s door compartment, along with a large magnet commonly used to bypass pump meters on the driver’s seat.
In addition, detectives allegedly found a large auxiliary fuel tank in the truck’s bed, and its cap was open.
Lara was placed under arrest and booked into Volusia County Jail. Hours later, he was released after posting bond, and he is facing the following charges: grand theft (over $750 but less than $5,000), possessing a device to alter a fuel dispenser, tampering with a fuel dispenser, obtaining fuel through a pump breach, and unauthorized access to a fuel dispenser.
According to VCSO, investigators are looking into related thefts across Central Florida, which could result in additional charges being filed against Lara.