Two men are facing charges for allegedly participating in an underground fuel theft operation in Miami-Dade County, using modified vehicles to steal large quantities of gasoline undetected.
Yorlan Camero, 47, and Yaisbel González-Álvarez, 40, were arrested following an investigation by local authorities. According to the police report, the suspects had equipped their cars with special tanks and connections that allowed them to store fuel stolen from service stations or other supply points.
The investigation arose from reports of possible systematic gasoline thefts in the northwest corner of the county, a crime that concerns authorities due to the economic impact and safety risks associated with the illegal storage of flammable materials. Authorities noted that this type of crime not only causes economic losses but also poses a significant danger to public safety, given the risk of fires or explosions caused by improperly handled fuels.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has repeatedly expressed her commitment to combating fuel theft, issuing official letters to warn about the growing problem. Both suspects face criminal charges and could face severe legal consequences if convicted. The investigation continues to determine if there are more individuals involved in the network.
Fuel theft through bank card fraud and modified vehicles has become a growing crime in South Florida, with multiple recent arrests reflecting the sophistication and reach of these criminal networks.
One of the most recent cases involves Orlando Pardo Ortega, arrested on June 25 in Miami-Dade County. Pardo used a Ram pickup truck equipped with hidden tanks known as "bladders," which allowed him to extract large quantities of diesel without raising suspicion. In a single day, he pumped 218 gallons of fuel, using credit cards linked to bank accounts in Hong Kong. He is charged with fraud, theft, and misuse of electronic payment devices, with possible severe penalties if convicted.
Another incident occurred in West Palm Beach, where Eric Wells, a former employee of a local company, was arrested after racking up $5,000 in illegal charges on a corporate fuel card, despite having been fired months earlier. Bank records and gas station videos helped link him directly to the fraud.
But the problem isn't limited to South Florida. In Hernando County, north of Tampa, authorities recently dismantled a criminal organization dedicated to counterfeiting credit cards, installing skimmers at gas pumps, and operating modified vehicles to transport stolen fuel. The operation resulted in the seizure of $43,350 in cash, 354 cloned credit cards, and 17 skimmer devices, revealing the magnitude of these networks.
The phenomenon also has interstate connections. Yudier Sardinas Vizcaíno, a Cuban resident of Miami, was arrested on June 11 in Tennessee for using fraudulent credit cards to obtain fuel. During his arrest, authorities found 40 counterfeit cards and multiple diesel receipts, evidencing his involvement in this criminal activity.
Given the increase in these cases, agencies recommend that the public exercise extreme caution when using gas pumps, preferably paying inside the store, and monitoring the pumps for any signs of tampering. They are also advised to frequently check account statements to detect suspicious transactions and report any irregularities immediately.
Meanwhile, investigations continue to dismantle broader networks and curb criminal activity that, far from diminishing, appears to be growing increasingly sophisticated in South Florida.
