Man accused of massive gasoline thefts
A Winter Haven, Fla., man has been arrested and charged with stealing thousands of gallons of gasoline from Central Florida gas stations.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Hobert Gibson, 70, is accused of using a stolen box trailer with a capacity of 3,250 gallons to take gasoline directly from underground reservoir access hatches at the stations and sell it at his business, Crews Towing LLC, the Lakeland (Fla.) Ledger reported Thursday.
The box trailer was reported stolen in 2005 from Central Food Equipment in Lakeland.
Judd said it is not known how much gas he took or from how many different gas stations, but the thefts are believed to be extensive.
"Our information was that he'd run different routes on different days," Judd said.
Deputies believe Gibson may have been part of a gasoline theft ring and they are searching for accomplices.
"We know this is going to spread all over Central Florida, in the least," Judd said. // Copyright 2007 by United Press International
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