Man accused of stealing more than $20K worth of diesel fuel from Lee County gas station

The Lee County Sheriff's Office arrested a man on Friday after he was accused of stealing diesel fuel from a gas station. Lee County deputies say Manuel Sanchez Fernandez reportedly stole from a RaceTrac on Lee Road. According to the LCSO arrest report, the suspects reportedly used a magnet to manipulate the diesel pump mechanism, allowing them to fill up without paying. Investigators say the suspects repeatedly targeted the business, reportedly stealing roughly $20,000 worth of diesel between April and July. The store's loss prevention manager told deputies they would pull up in two semi-trucks and park side by side at the diesel pumps. The arrest report says surveillance video helped investigators identify Fernandez as one of the suspects. Drivers like Edgar Lorenzo say they've heard of scams at the pump before, but never anything this elaborate or on this scale. "That's bad business, because the prices are already going up. When people do stuff like that, it's only going to bring the price higher," said Lorenzo. Fernandez now faces a charge of grand theft. He has since bonded out of jail. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.