Florida troopers arrest two men for theft of semi truck, diesel, credit cards

This week, the Florida Highway Patrol arrested two men in connection with the theft of a semi truck in addition to a credit card and diesel fuel theft scheme.

At approximately 9:30 on Sunday morning, troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol initiated a traffic stop at a Pilot truck stop located at 6054 Plaza Drive in Fort Myers.

Troopers said that the two occupants in the truck were suspected to be involved in a prior incident of diesel fuel theft and credit card fraud.

After troopers inspected the 2016 Freightliner, they were able to determine that it was stolen out of Miami.

Troopers also said that they found that the truck had illegally welded fuel tanks that were filled with stolen diesel.

Police also found a credit card skimmer, several stolen credit cards, and a laptop in the vehicle.

Juan Alfredo Escalona Hidalgo, 33, of Bradenton, and Raul Torralba, 42, were arrested and booked into Lee County Jail. Both men were charged with Larceny, Fraud, Resisting Without Violence, Unlawful Conveyance of Fuel, and Grand Theft Auto.