Brevard Sheriff’s Agents Bust Perp Suspected of Stealing Hundreds of Gallons of Fuel
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard County Sheriff // January 9, 2019
Suspect in possession of 20 fraudulent credit cards
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office arrested 52-year-old Nelson Lopez-Benitez of Orlando for attempting to steal hundreds of gallons of fuel from a local convenience store.
The arrest occurred after the Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the attempted theft by a local convenience store employee who advised that there were a suspicious suspect and van at the gas pump.
A vehicle description and tag were provided to Agents Justin Wood and Megan Lane of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit.
The agents, who were in the immediate area stopped the vehicle after it was observed traveling on Wickham Road in Melbourne.
The investigation subsequently determined that the vehicle was equipped with a concealed bladder tank that could hold an estimated 700 gallons of fuel. It was also discovered that Lopez-Benitez was in possession of approximately 20 fraudulent credit cards.
Lopez-Benitez was transported to the Brevard County Jail where he was charged with Unlawful Conveyance of Fuel and held on a $3,000 bond.
Additional charges for the possession and criminal use of another person’s personal information are also pending.
Please join me in thanking the concerned citizen who notified our agency of the suspicious activity and also in commending our Agents who work hard every day to help keep our citizens safe.
As I always say, “it takes a community to protect a community,” and this case is a perfect example of what happens when our citizens and Law Enforcement work close together to keep Brevard County safe.
– Sheriff Wayne Ivey
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