Crime & Public Safety
Man Arrested After Investigation Into Multiple Fuel Thefts at Ocala Truck Stop
Marion County deputies say a Tampa man was arrested after detectives linked him to two large fuel thefts at an Ocala truck stop. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation in mid-July after security at the Pilot Travel Center on W. Highway 326 reported repeated, unrecorded fuel pump activity. Surveillance footage and subsequent records allegedly tied the same white Ford pickup to both incidents.
According to the arrest report, on Wednesday, July 15, security observed the pickup return to the pumps four times between about 12:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.; two people pumped an estimated 1,275 gallons of fuel into a metal container in the truck bed without any purchase record. Detectives later reviewed footage and identified the truck’s license plate, which registration records showed was linked to a Tampa resident.
Security notified investigators again on August 17 after a second overnight loss; the report states roughly 1,940 gallons were taken during that incident. Investigators obtained a search warrant for cellphone records tied to the registered owner, and analysis of those records allegedly placed the primary phone traveling to and from the Pilot Travel Center during the hours both thefts occurred.
A warrant was issued and the suspect was booked into the Marion County Jail on September 22. The arrest report lists charges of two counts of grand theft and two counts of tampering with a retail fuel dispenser component; the suspect remains in custody without bond and has a Marion County court appearance scheduled for October 27, according to jail records.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.