Tampa, FL (WFLA) – This week, Florida officials arrested four men, accusing them of using a device at gas stations that allowed them swing fuel for pennies on the dollar.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services made the arrests Wednesday. Commissioner Nicki Fried said she was serious about these types of crimes.
“Every time we see a similar theft or a real scam, we are zero tolerant,” Fried said. “And we’ll come, and it’s a very clear symbol for anyone who might think of doing something like this – we’ll catch you. «
The alleged incidents took place at the Circle K gas station in Lutte and the Circle K station in Lakeland. At Lutz’s place, officers arrested Marlon Roselle-Rodriguez and Jordan Diaz Benitez of Tampa. At Lakeland, they arrested Julier Garcia-Martinez and Rachel Llaren of Orlando.
Ned Bowman, president of the Florida Association of Petroleum Marketers, said the suspects were conducting a rather complex operation.
“They come and change the pulsator. A pulsator is a device inside a gas pump that regulates the flow of fuel, ”Bowman explained. “So they can change the price of fuel to nickel or a penny per gallon and fill the back of their trucks – their bubbles or spare sides – with fuel that is mostly free.”
Bowman said small independent gas stations could indeed suffer as a result of this type of crime.
“Someone pumps gas at 5 cents a gallon or diesel at 5 cents a gallon, and you pay $ 4.50 or $ 5 a gallon for that – it makes a profit pretty quickly,” Bowman said.
Commissioner Fried is urging Florida residents to monitor these types of crimes as well as with each other.
“If you see something going on at a gas station – whether it’s a scam, or you see a certain number on the street luring you to a gas station, or you see something going on at a gas station – we have both English and Spanish lines.” so people can call, ”Fried said.
Residents of Florida can report suspicious activity in English by calling 1-800-HELP-FLA or in Spanish by calling 1-800-FL-AYUDA.