An ongoing investigation led Miami-Dade Police to a house full of stolen goods, phony credit cards and a stash of drugs. Four people have been arrested for their alleged involvement.
Detectives said Lazaro Chavelton was stealing large amounts of gasoline with counterfeit gift cards.
"A Ford 350 pickup truck with a rear bed and there's a tank, a fuel tank in there and they're pumping gas, diesel gas and so he's the one pumping the gas," said Judge Mindy Glazer in Miami-Dade Bond Court Friday. "The nature of these charges and the quantity of them, he's facing a lot of jail time."
According to the arrest report, the rigged up gas tank can hold up to 200 gallons of fuel. Officers later arrested Valdimir Narvalle, Yirandi Martinez and Yanelis Martinez in connection with the alleged scheme to defraud.
Detectives said the defendants operated out of a rented house at 7242 Loch Ness Drive in Miami Lakes. They executed a search warrant Thursday and found fuel pumps, fuel skimming devices, credit card skimming devices and 16 hydroponic marijuana plants.
"It's scary, it is scary and it's really amazing. I'm speechless," said Rudy Orujo, the property's manager.
In 2004, prosecutors charged Chavelton with grand theft but that charge was later dropped.
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The judge gave Chavelton a $27,000 bond and the others $37,000 each.
