Father-son trucker duo from Florida accused of stealing fuel from South Carolina gas station: deputies

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WCBD) – A father-son trucker duo from Florida has been arrested after Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said a substantial amount of fuel was stolen from a gas station.

Juan Casanova-Brito, 54, and Carlos Casanova-Sanchez, 26, from near Miami, FL, have each been charged with criminal conspiracy; breaking into motor vehicle or tanks, pumps where fuel lubricants are stored; malicious injury to personal property; and petit larceny.

Sheriff Ravenell said the men were taken into custody Wednesday night after deputies received a tip that fuel was being stolen at a Five Chop Road gas station.

Responding deputies allegedly caught the pair while attempting to fuel up an 18-wheeler.

According to warrants, the two men had manipulated the fuel pump to alter the flow of fuel, which resulted in a larger amount of fuel being pumped than what was billed.

“This was quick work by my deputies for making these arrests,” Sheriff Ravenell said. “Just a few minutes either way, and they would have been gone.”

Officials with the sheriff’s office say deputies have been investigating similar fuel thefts dating back to November, in which they said more than 1,500 gallons have fuel had been stolen.

The fuel company informed the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office of other thefts in Virginia and Newberry, SC.

“We will be making contact with other law enforcement agencies across the state that have had similar cases in their areas,” said Sheriff Ravenell.

The sheriff’s office said additional charges against the two men are possible.