Two arrested for stealing hundreds of gallons of diesel from Florida 7-Eleven, police say

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) recently arrested two people for allegedly stealing diesel fuel from a gas station in Bonita Springs, Florida.

LCSO deputies responded to a 7-Eleven store at 24651 S Tamiami Trail for reports of suspicious activity at the fuel pumps.

Deputies reportedly saw Edson Escalona, 35, and Tanilexis Tortolo, 43, at a pump putting fuel into an external tank.

“On-site employees and asset protection confirmed a tractor trailer arrived at a pump and purchased 15 gallons of diesel fuel, but physically pumped 200 gallons. Minutes later, a black pickup truck arrived at the same pump and paid for 6 gallons, but physically pumped 150 gallons. Finally, a silver truck arrived, paid for roughly 6 gallons of fuel, but physically pumped 98 gallons,” LCSO said.

After detectives with the South District Criminal Investigations Division to assist in the investigation, it was determined that Escalona and Tortolo were working together to manipulate the pumps with theft devices.

The pair were arrested on charges of obtaining fuel by fraudulent means.

“This couple thought they could travel to Lee County and steal hundreds of gallons of fuel,” stated Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno. “On average, fuel is $4.05 per gallon and businesses cannot afford to suffer this loss. They picked the wrong county and paid us a visit at the Marceno Motel.”