Fuel thieves caught in Columbia County
Fuel thieves caught in Columbia County
POSTED 09/26/2008 - Two Miami residents were arrested Wednesday and charged with stealing fuel from a Columbia County store.
Jesus Maure, 44 of 7960 SW 14th Terrace and Rafael Rodriguez, 40, of 3561 SW 117th Avenue, were each charged with grand theft in recurring thefts of diesel fuel from Milton’s Country Store on North Highway 441.
Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies and detectives had been investigating thefts since the initial report on September 11 when more than 470 gallons of diesel was taken during hours when the store was closed. The stolen diesel was valued at more than $2000.
The store owner began to review surveillance equipment and realized similar thefts had been
taking place for about six months. All totaled, it is estimated that $15,000 worth of fuel had been stolen.
"The store owner realized the numbers were simply not matching up," said Sheriff Bill Gootee. "Good police work and assistance from a local resident helped nab the two about 2 am Wednesday shortly after they left the store."
Maure and Rodriguez were each being held on a $10,000 bond at the Columbia County Jail on Thursday. The two also face additional charged in related thefts.
