Florence Individuals Arrested For Diesel Theft
A deputy on patrol in the Pomaria area observed suspicious activity that led to the arrest of three individuals from Florence, SC for theft of diesel from two local businesses.
At approximately 1:15 am Saturday morning a deputy noticed a pickup truck and an individual parked at Wilson’s Store on US Hwy. 176. The deputy called for backup to help in the investigation. That deputy observed two suspicious people at the fuel pumps at the Pomaria Food Mart just down the road from Wilson’s.
Both deputies observed fuel tanks in the beds of both trucks. Investigation found that both vehicles and the three suspects had used a remote control device that had been adapted to activate the fuel pumps, allowing access to the product. It is unknown exactly how much fuel had been illicitly taken, but the estimate is several thousand dollars.
One of the suspects was also armed. Arrested was Russell Weldon Fountain (middle in photo), 53, of Florence, Jasper Jerell Epps (left in photo), 25, of Florence, Charisma Chimere Peterson (right in photo), 25, of Florence.
All suspects were charged with breaking into motor vehicle tanks/pumps, violation of the computer crimes act, and conspiracy. Epps was charged with unlawful carrying of a pistol. Sheriff Foster stated, as fuel prices continue to rise, we will see increased thefts of this precious product.
A deputy on patrol in the Pomaria area observed suspicious activity that led to the arrest of three individuals from Florence, SC for theft of diesel from two local businesses.
At approximately 1:15 am Saturday morning a deputy noticed a pickup truck and an individual parked at Wilson’s Store on US Hwy. 176. The deputy called for backup to help in the investigation. That deputy observed two suspicious people at the fuel pumps at the Pomaria Food Mart just down the road from Wilson’s.
Both deputies observed fuel tanks in the beds of both trucks. Investigation found that both vehicles and the three suspects had used a remote control device that had been adapted to activate the fuel pumps, allowing access to the product. It is unknown exactly how much fuel had been illicitly taken, but the estimate is several thousand dollars.
One of the suspects was also armed. Arrested was Russell Weldon Fountain (middle in photo), 53, of Florence, Jasper Jerell Epps (left in photo), 25, of Florence, Charisma Chimere Peterson (right in photo), 25, of Florence.
All suspects were charged with breaking into motor vehicle tanks/pumps, violation of the computer crimes act, and conspiracy. Epps was charged with unlawful carrying of a pistol. Sheriff Foster stated, as fuel prices continue to rise, we will see increased thefts of this precious product.
