BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Brevard County Sheriff's Office has arrested five men in what investigators think was a foiled plan to steal thousands of gallons of fuel.
Investigators said the suspects went to great lengths to disguise the thefts.
Deputies said two shuttles, a pickup truck and a couple of work trucks were filled with gasoline purchased through identity theft.
TRENDING NOW:
- Fired Florida officer guilty of slaying black motorist
- 'It's like fights after fights': 3 students arrested, deputies called 25 times this school year
- Attorney: Chris Watts' daughter begged for her life after watching sister's murder
- VIDEO: OSHA fines Florida post office $129,336 for rxposing mail carriers to August heat
The five suspects who were arrested Wednesday have posted their bonds.
Deputies seized the vehicles Wednesday from a group of suspects filling up at various gas stations around the county.
The Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes task force received information from concerned employees at one location about two vehicles that had been making suspicious transactions.
While investigators were following up leads in Melbourne, they were contacted about some suspicious activity in Cocoa.
Yasiel Ventura, 29, of Orlando; Didiel Rojas, 27, of Hialeah; Luis Ortiz, 29, of Orlando; Jose Fernandini, 59, of Orlando; and Jose Betancourt, 29, of South Dakota, were all arrested and charged with unlawful conveyance of fuel.
“In this 12-hour window, you're talking about 500 credit cards, hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel -- now you do that each day and you see the damage that's happening," said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.
Deputies are also working with the Secret Service on this case.
DOWNLOAD: Free WFTV News & Weather Apps
Not near a TV? Click here to watch WFTV newscasts live
Cox Media Group