A Miami resident was arrested and charged with leading a sophisticated fuel theft scheme that involved the use of a modified truck to transport large volumes of stolen diesel.
Orlando Pardo Ortega, 56 years old, used a white Ram 5500 pickup truck, equipped with high-capacity fuel tanks, to steal hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel from various service stations in the county.
According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO), the fuel was being resold to commercial transportation companies below market price.
How the scheme operated
The investigation began on April 25, when a detective from the MDSO spotted the suspect refueling at a Wawa station in Doral.
Ortega used his mobile phone to make two contactless payments, charging 110.75 gallons of diesel, a figure that far exceeds the standard capacity of his vehicle's tank, which is 52 gallons.
The agent continued surveillance until a second Wawa station on West Flagler Street, where the suspect made two more transactions totaling $340.14, accumulating 218.08 gallons in one day, according to the police report accessed by CBS News.
An asset protection advisor from Wawa reported that Ortega used the same credit card, associated with a bank in Hong Kong, for purchases totaling $2,689 at various locations of the chain.
Use of multiple cards and transaction failures
Authorities also documented that on May 13, Ortega attempted to make up to 12 transactions at a RaceTrac station in southwest Miami-Dade, all of which were declined.
That day, he used six credit cards belonging to U.S. financial institutions, raising suspicions of a possible financial fraud network.
Detention and charges
The individual was arrested on June 25 and taken to the Kendall station of the MDSO, where he provided a statement.
He is now facing charges for organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, retail theft of fuel using a modified vehicle, fraudulent use of credit cards for amounts exceeding $100, and fraudulent acquisition of fuel.
Authorities do not rule out the possibility that other individuals are involved in the operation and continue to investigate the possible destination of the stolen fuel.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fuel Theft in Miami
How did the fuel theft scheme operate in Miami?
The fuel theft scheme was led by Orlando Pardo Ortega, who used a modified truck to transport large volumes of stolen diesel. The fuel was taken from service stations in Miami-Dade County and resold to commercial transportation companies at reduced prices. Ortega used multiple credit cards, some linked to foreign banks, to carry out transactions at the gas stations.
What charges does Orlando Pardo Ortega face for fuel theft?
Orlando Pardo Ortega has been arrested and now faces multiple charges, including organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, retail theft of fuel using a modified vehicle, fraudulent use of credit cards for amounts exceeding $100, and fraudulent acquisition of fuel.
Are there other similar cases of fuel theft in Florida?
Yes, similar cases have been reported in South Florida. Recently, four individuals were arrested for siphoning diesel from gas stations using modified vehicles for the illegal transportation of fuel. This type of crime has increased due to the rising demand and high cost of diesel.
What measures are the authorities taking to combat fuel theft?
The authorities are intensifying investigations and operations to dismantle these networks. They recommend that gas stations strengthen security measures, such as installing surveillance cameras and real-time monitoring systems for underground tanks, to prevent fuel theft.
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