A Miami local has been taken into custody, accused of orchestrating an elaborate fuel theft operation involving a specially modified truck designed to transport large quantities of stolen diesel fuel. Orlando Pardo Ortega, aged 56, utilized a white Ram 5500 truck equipped with high-capacity fuel tanks to siphon off hundreds of gallons of diesel from numerous gas stations across the county. According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO), this stolen fuel was then sold to commercial transport companies at prices below the market rate.
Unveiling the Operation
The investigation was launched on April 25, when an MDSO detective noticed Ortega refueling at a Wawa gas station in Doral. Ortega used his cellphone to make two contactless payments, totaling 110.75 gallons of diesel—far exceeding the standard tank capacity of his vehicle, which holds 52 gallons. The detective maintained surveillance as Ortega proceeded to a second Wawa location on West Flagler Street, where he conducted additional transactions amounting to $340.14, acquiring a combined total of 218.08 gallons in a single day, as per a police report obtained by CBS News.
A Wawa asset protection advisor revealed that Ortega repeatedly used the same credit card linked to a Hong Kong bank, making purchases that amounted to $2,689 across various chain locations.
Multiple Cards and Transaction Failures
Authorities also reported that on May 13, Ortega attempted up to 12 transactions at a RaceTrac station in southwest Miami-Dade, all of which were declined. On this occasion, he used six credit cards from U.S. financial institutions, raising suspicions of an extensive financial fraud network.
Arrest and Charges
Ortega was apprehended on June 25 and taken to the Kendall station of the MDSO, where he provided a statement. He now faces charges including organized fraud, grand theft, retail fuel theft using a modified vehicle, fraudulent use of credit cards for amounts exceeding $100, and fraudulent procurement of fuel. Authorities are not ruling out the involvement of additional individuals in the operation and continue to investigate the potential destinations of the stolen fuel.
Understanding Fuel Theft Operations in Miami
How was the fuel theft operation discovered?
The operation came to light when a detective from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office observed suspicious refueling activities by Orlando Pardo Ortega at a Wawa gas station.
What methods did Ortega use to carry out the theft?
Ortega used a modified truck with large-capacity fuel tanks to transport stolen diesel and employed multiple credit cards for transactions, some linked to foreign banks.
What charges is Ortega facing?
Ortega faces charges including organized fraud, grand theft, retail fuel theft with a modified vehicle, and fraudulent use of credit cards.