Statewide diesel fuel theft ring using semi trucks busted by Florida sheriff’s department

www.cdllife.com, Ashley, September 24, 2025

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) arrested three men for stealing hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel from a gas station in Punta Gorda, Florida.

On September 24, 2025, CCSO announced the arrest of Livan Andrade, Cristian Urquiza Valdes, and Noel Lopez Carrasco, in connection with a large-scale fuel theft scheme.

CCSO said that shortly before midnight on September 22, deputies “were made aware of some vehicles of interest (semi trucks) in multiple diesel fuel thefts entering Charlotte County.”

The deputies stationed at a RaceTrac Gas Station on Duncan Road in Punta Gorda, and from a strategic location recorded as the drivers of the semi trucks unlocked and manipulated the pumps before dispensing fuel.

“… an investigation that revealed the pumps had been manipulated through the use of a Pulsar mechanism. This is a device that makes the pump unable to accurately register the number of gallons dispensed, therefore allowing the suspect(s) to pay significantly less than the actual value of the fuel. The investigation found that the trucks each had hidden tanks, known as “bladders”, to store the gas that are not connected with the vehicle’s fuel lines. These bladders are designed solely for storage and transport. In total, there were hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel stolen,” CCSO said.

“It still confuses me that criminals attempt this kind of stuff in Charlotte County, seeing how frequently we are the ones who catch them. They must not be following our social media. Time and time again, my deputies are putting a stop to their criminal ways, and we are more than happy to make reservations at the Charlotte County Jail for them. I’d like to thank my team for their quick action to not only locate these suspects, but to catch them in the act. That’s the power of intelligence-led policing,” said Sheriff Bill Brummell.

News article: https://cdllife.com/2025/statewide-diesel-fuel-theft-ring-using-semi-trucks-busted-by-florida-sheriffs-department/