Lee County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Antonio Miranda Fonte, 38, at a Love’s truck stop in North Fort Myers after catching him in the act.
Fonte was pumping diesel with a cloned credit card. He stole 248 gallons worth $1,460, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. The Tennessee company confirmed that it did not allow the use of its card in Florida.
This incident comes as gas prices climb through the roof in Florida. On Monday, prices jumped 17 cents and set a record. Regular unleaded is averaging $4.12 per gallon across the state, reaching levels not seen in over three years. Diesel prices are even steeper, with averages ranging from $5.73 to $5.84 per gallon. Some stations in Fort Myers are pushing prices close to $5 per gallon.
When deputies searched Fonte’s vehicle, they found a device for cloning credit cards. Fonte now faces charges for grand theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, and possessing an encoder with intent to defraud.
High Gas Prices Aren’t Isolated
West Palm Beach-Boca Raton is seeing averages near $4.26, Naples is about $4.22, Jacksonville is roughly $4.25, and certain Fort Myers stations report $4.89 to $4.99 for regular unleaded.
What’s fueling this surge? Mainly, global supply concerns tied to the violence in Iran and the disruption at the Strait of Hormuz. Spring break is also ramping up demand. Experts at AAA say Floridians shouldn’t expect relief soon, as prices are likely to stay volatile and high for now.
