North Fort Myers man arrested for stealing $1,460 in diesel fuel using fake credit card

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — A man was arrested at a gas station after allegedly using a cloned credit card to steal more than $1,400 worth of diesel fuel, according to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said deputies responded to Love Travel's Stop in North Fort Myers on Tuesday after receiving a call of suspicious activity.

The suspect, identified as Antonio Miranda Fonte, allegedly used fraudulent credit card numbers to purchase 248 gallons of diesel fuel totaling $1,460.47.

"We look into his vehicle, and we find the tools that make that fraudulent credit card number," Marceno said. "He cloned it to his personal card. The card flagged inside the store."

Marceno said the Fonte has a criminal history dating back to 2010, when he was charged and convicted of using fraudulent credit cards. He said Fonte is said to be in the country illegally.

"He has a hold,"  Marceno said. "We're going to work with Homeland Security and ICE to remove him from here."

According to the sheriff's office, the arrest demonstrates the importance of community involvement in reporting suspicious activity. Fonte faces multiple felony charges, including grand theft, theft obtained by using fraudulent credit cards, and possession of an encoder with the intent to defraud.

"Everybody pays for this,"  Marceno said. "When someone commits a crime like this, the consumer, all of us, pay for it, and in Lee County, we have zero tolerance."

The sheriff's office noted that criminals often adjust their behavior in response to market conditions. With gas prices rising, Marceno said it's likely why Fonte used a fraudulent credit card to get diesel fuel.

Marceno encouraged residents to protect their personal information.

"Making certain you're checking your accounts regularly, not giving your information out over a phone or anywhere else, shredding your garbage," he said. "Don't let people see your credit card numbers or your social security numbers, but again, be vigilant."