Man Arrested for Stealing $1,460 in Diesel Using Cloned Credit Card

Incident comes as gas prices in Florida reach record highs, with diesel averaging over $5.70 per gallon.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:41pm

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Lee County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 38-year-old Antonio Miranda Fonte at a Love's truck stop in North Fort Myers after catching him pumping 248 gallons of diesel worth $1,460 using a cloned credit card. Fonte was also found to be in possession of a device for cloning credit cards.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing problem of fuel theft as gas prices in Florida reach record highs, with diesel prices averaging over $5.70 per gallon. Fuel theft not only costs businesses and consumers, but also raises concerns about public safety and security.

The details

Fonte was pumping diesel at the Love's truck stop when deputies arrested him. The Tennessee company that issued the credit card confirmed it did not authorize the use of the card in Florida. In Fonte's vehicle, deputies found a device used for cloning credit cards.

  • The incident occurred on April 2, 2026.
  • On the previous Monday, gas prices in Florida jumped 17 cents, setting a new record.

The players

Antonio Miranda Fonte

A 38-year-old man arrested by Lee County Sheriff's Deputies for stealing $1,460 worth of diesel using a cloned credit card.

Lee County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that arrested Fonte and charged him with grand theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, and possessing an encoder with intent to defraud.

Love's

The truck stop chain where Fonte was caught pumping diesel with the cloned credit card.

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What’s next

Fonte will face charges in court for his alleged crimes.

The takeaway

As gas prices continue to soar in Florida, fuel theft incidents like this one are likely to become more common, raising concerns about public safety and the need for stronger security measures at gas stations and truck stops.