Theft ring suspects accused of stealing nearly $300K in fuel at North Texas gas stations
An organized crime ring has been accused of stealing over $283,000 worth of diesel fuel from North Texas gas stations, according to a warrant for one of the suspects.
The series of at least 42 thefts took place in several counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area over the span of November 2021 to January 2023, investigators wrote in an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by the Star-Telegram.
In late October, Fort Worth police arrested 58-year-old Rolando Campa on charges of engaging in organized criminal activity, according to the warrant.
The 14-page warrant details how investigators believe that Campa and at least 12 other people allegedly used card skimming and pulsar manipulation devices to steal more than 46,000 gallons of fuel.
Pulsars are built into gas pumps and monitor the amount of fuel dispensed to determine the cost. Attaching a manipulation device slows the pulsar so that it only registers around 1/20th of the amount of fuel dispensed, according to the warrant.
Members of the group also used stolen credit and debit cards and gift cards to activate the pumps, investigators said.
Security footage from the affected gas stations allowed police to track the suspects and their vehicles and connect the crimes, officials said.
Thefts were reported at gas stations in Tarrant County, Dallas County, Denton County, Collin County, Wise County, Johnson County and Hill County, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.
The cases have been investigated by agencies including the Fort Worth Police Department, DFW Airport police, the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, the Texas Comptroller’s Office and the Department of Public Safety, according to court records. An official with the financial crimes center told Fort Worth police that some of the suspects also are believed to have evaded paying taxes on the fuel.
According to Tarrant County court records, other suspects who have been charged in the case include Darien Rodriguez Franco, 39; Leonel Escalante Machin, 37; Lazaro Munoz Zamora, 31; Omar Campa, 54; Aylin Mujica, 34; Yosdel Sausdrefenea, 35; Johan Sainz-Gomez, 45; Roberto Leon Arias, 37; Yojanes Burgos Vazquez, 35; Yolday Feria Gomez, 40; Yosvany Jimenez; 34; and Aniel Delgado Soriano, 36.
