{"id":400205,"date":"2026-09-15T06:33:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T06:33:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/400205\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T06:33:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T06:33:13","slug":"florida-man-accused-of-stealing-more-than-20k-worth-of-fuel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/400205\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida man accused of stealing more than $20K worth of fuel"},"content":{"rendered":"

Man accused of stealing more than $20K worth of diesel fuel from Lee County gas station<\/p>\n

\"Madison<\/a>LEE COUNTY, Fla. \u2014<\/p>\n

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man on Friday after he was accused of stealing diesel fuel from a gas station. <\/p>\n

Lee County deputies say Manuel Sanchez Fernandez reportedly stole from a RaceTrac on Lee Road. <\/p>\n

According to the LCSO arrest report, the suspects reportedly used a magnet to manipulate the diesel pump mechanism, allowing them to fill up without paying. <\/p>\n

Investigators say the suspects repeatedly targeted the business, reportedly stealing roughly $20,000 worth of diesel between April and July. The store’s loss prevention manager told deputies they would pull up in two semi-trucks and park side by side at the diesel pumps.<\/p>\n

The arrest report says surveillance video helped investigators identify Fernandez as one of the suspects. <\/p>\n

Drivers like Edgar Lorenzo say they’ve heard of scams at the pump before, but never anything this elaborate or on this scale. <\/p>\n

“That’s bad business, because the prices are already going up. When people do stuff like that, it’s only going to bring the price higher,” said Lorenzo. <\/p>\n

Fernandez now faces a charge of grand theft. He has since bonded out of jail.<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO)<\/p>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

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