Man arrested for stealing 93 gallons of diesel fuel

TAMPA, Fla. – Officers arrested a man after he attempted to steal 93 gallons of diesel fuel from a Mobil gas station on Hillsborough Avenue, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The incident reportedly occurred at approximately 3:43 a.m. Saturday when officers spotted 24-year-old Kiusler Perez Ortiz whose car was parked on the filler opening of an underground diesel tank at the closed gas station.

As officers tried to talk to him, Ortiz put the car in reverse and then accelerated again, colliding with a patrol car and nearly hitting one of the officers, the sheriff’s office said.

According to officials, police officers followed Ortiz along Hillsborough Avenue into Pinellas County before eventually arresting him in a wooded area near Sunray Drive.

According to Hillsborough lawmakers, Ortiz is accused of:

• Serious bodily harm with a deadly weapon against a police officer
• Escape from high speed
• Reckless driving
• Damage to property $1,000 or more
• Attached tag not assigned
• Resist without violence

The sheriff’s office said additional charges are pending against Ortiz.

In the press release, Sheriff Chad Chronister said he was glad his deputies were able to “prevent any harm from this man who clearly did not want to be arrested.”

“Our patrol officers quickly resolved this explosive situation and can be very proud of their efforts this morning,” Chronister said.

You can watch a full-body cam video of the arrest below: