LEHIGH ACRES, FLORIDA – A sophisticated illegal fuel theft operation in Lehigh Acres was halted following a meticulous investigation by Central Criminal Investigations Division (CID) detectives. The operation came to light when deputies were called to the Chevron gas station at 4821 Buckingham Road on December 6, 2023, for a report of 600 gallons of stolen diesel fuel. Surveillance footage from the Chevron showed a white Ford F250 with an enclosed trailer parked over the fuel line cap for approximately 23 minutes.
Further thefts were reported on December 11 at the Sunoco on 2311 Buckingham Road and the Handy Gas Station at 21321 Palm Beach Boulevard, involving 550 and 552.56 gallons of diesel respectively. In both cases, the same white Ford F250 was observed parked over the fuel line caps, with another vehicle positioned to obstruct surveillance cameras.
Central CID detectives, with assistance from Real Time Intelligence Center analysts, identified Yariel Castillo as the owner of the white Ford F250. When detectives met with Castillo and located the vehicle and trailer on his property, they executed a search warrant. Inside the trailer, they found two 300-gallon fuel bladders filled with diesel and a complex pumping system comprising hoses and pumps connected to the bladders.