NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — At least 25 people have been charged in connection with a diesel theft scheme that spanned five states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Police in Gloucester Township, Camden County, went on a wild goose chase to take down the massive operation when they noticed skimming devices were installed in gas pumps.
The group, as New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said, planted the skimmers after stations closed for the night with master keys that could unlock just about any gas pump.
They would then use the skimmer to steal credit card information, print their own cards, and buy and sell fuel to trucking companies and other suppliers. Four companies are accused of being involved. Platkin says the group, at the direction of alleged leader Carlos Alvarez-Moren, modified vehicles like an ice cream truck to transport the stolen fuel to larger tanks and sell it to the trucking companies and suppliers.
“Since June of 2022, those involved allegedly made illicit profits of $3.4 million from this criminal activity,” Platkin said.
The scheme spanned parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
All defendants are charged with first-degree racketeering.