Suspected Fuel Thief Behind Bars, Some Counties Soft Targets

SPRING HILL, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting the arrest of a Tampa man after he allegedly stole a large amount of fuel from a Spring Hill gas station.

According to reports, a manager at the RaceTrac gas station located at Cortez Blvd and Deltona Blvd called 911 on January 10th to report a possible fuel theft in progress.

The clerk advised that their system alerted them to a major fuel loss and that they noticed a silver van parked over the area where tankers fill fuel tanks.

The suspect fled the area before deputies arrived on the scene but was later spotted traveling on Osowaw Blvd. The suspect fled from deputies but was located by the Florida Highway Patrol in the driveway of the Hernando County Landfill where he was taken into custody without incident.

Officials say 21-year-old Ruben Dario was booked into the Hernando County Jail on charges of Retail Theft (3rd offense), Unlawful Transport of Dangerous Materials, Reckless Driving, and Driving without a license.

Upon further inspection of the vehicle, investigators found large drums in the back of the van attached to hoses and electric pumps. Additionally, a hole was cut out of the bottom of the van so that the suspect would not have to exit the vehicle.

Dario remains behind bars on a $10,000 bond.

Experts say this type of operation is not uncommon around Florida, especially in counties that have "no-pursuit" policies. Sheriff Al Nienhuis does not allow his deputies to pursue suspects, which attracts gang-related criminals from around the state to commit similar crimes in Hernando County. The Florida Highway Patrol does not have a "no-pursuit" policy.