Father and son co-drivers arrested for manipulating fuel pumps and stealing diesel fuel from a Florida gas station.
54-year-old Juan Casanova-Brito and 26-year-old Carlos Casanova-Sanchez were arrested on Wednesday, February 7th in Orangeburg, South Carolina after police received a tip that fuel was being stolen from a 7-11 gas station on Five Chop Road.
According to WCBDTV 2, deputies responded to the call to find both men fueling up their semi truck. Both men had previous warrants detailing their tendency to manipulate fuel pumps to increase the flow of fuel, allowing them to drive away with more fuel than they actually paid for.
Over 1,500 gallons of fuel have reportedly been stolen this way in Virginia and South Carolina since November.
“We will be making contact with other law enforcement agencies across the state that have had similar cases in their areas,” said Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell.
“This was quick work by my deputies for making these arrests,” Sheriff Ravenell said. “Just a few minutes either way, and they would have been gone.”
Casanova-Brito and Casanova-Sanchez are facing charges of criminal conspiracy; breaking into motor vehicle or tanks, pumps where fuel lubricants are stored; malicious injury to personal property; and petit larceny. Officers say they may face even more charges.