VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A Deltona man was arrested after he was caught stealing diesel from Circle K gas stations across the area, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
In a release, deputies said the man — identified as Yusniel Lara, 40 — is facing multiple larceny counts tied to diesel thefts reported at Circle K locations in Deltona and DeLand.
Recommended Videos
Those stores reported incidents on July 6 and July 12, with an estimated 300 gallons of fuel stolen.
Surveillance video from the stations reportedly showed the same suspect vehicle each time: a white Ram 2500 pickup. Detectives used license plate reader data to identify the truck and its registered owner as Lara, authorities said.
Meanwhile, similar diesel thefts were also reported in Sanford and Ocala, and investigators say Lara’s truck was entered into the system as a felony vehicle.
On Wednesday, a license plate reader in DeLand alerted officers to the truck’s tag, police said. DeLand officers located the pickup back at the Circle K where thefts had previously been reported and detained Lara while Volusia Sheriff’s Office detectives responded.
Detectives say they found a large magnet on the driver’s seat, an item commonly used in diesel thefts from pumps.
In the truck bed, investigators reported seeing a large auxiliary fuel tank with the cap open, but not yet filled.
Police also say an access panel on the pump had been pried off, and a pry tool was found inside the driver’s door compartment.
Authorities say additional charges are possible as other related cases continue to be investigated.