"Early on Feb. 2, a DeKalb County deputy pulled over the man from Los Angeles on Highway 117 in the small town Mentone. The deputy said he saw large tanks holding hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel stowed in the van. After a vehicle search, the deputy discovered electrical switches, wiring, remotes and battery packs, a news release from the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office said."
"The sheriff's department said it learned the man had traveled from New Jersey, knocking off an unknown number of gas stations along the way by pumping without paying. Authorities did not explain how they determined the man was running a "scam." In a statement, DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said the operation "posed a serious threat to public safety" but did not include details about what the driver planned to do with the fuel."
A 42-year-old man from Los Angeles was arrested in Mentone, Alabama, after a deputy observed large tanks containing approximately 600 gallons of diesel fuel in the back of a U-Haul. A vehicle search uncovered electrical switches, wiring, remotes and battery packs, which raised suspicions given the large amount of fuel. Authorities allege the man conducted a sophisticated, multi-state diesel fuel theft scheme by hijacking truck stop diesel pumps and traveling from New Jersey while allegedly pumping without paying. The man was charged with three felonies, including possession of burglary tools and possessing stolen property. Officials said the operation posed a serious threat to public safety.
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