Lehigh Acres, Bradenton men charged in alleged diesel fuel theft, credit card scam

Michael Braun, Fort Myers News-Press
·1 min read
Two Southwest Florida men, Juan Alfredo Escalona Hidalgo, 33, of Bradenton, and passenger Raul Torralba, 42, of Lehigh Acres, are facing multiple charges in an alleged diesel fuel theft and credit card scam. They remain in Lee County jail with bond not yet set on one charge of transporting dangerous cargo (diesel fuel) and 19 counts of credit card fraud.

Two Florida men, one from Lehigh Acres, are facing multiple charges in an alleged diesel fuel theft and credit card scam.

The driver, Juan Alfredo Escalona Hidalgo, 33, of Bradenton, and passenger Raul Torralba, 42, of Lehigh Acres, remain in Lee County jail with bond not yet set on one charge of transporting dangerous cargo (diesel fuel) and 19 counts of credit card fraud.

A Florida Highway Patrol release said there are also charges pending of resisting without violence, fraud and grand theft auto.

The two were arrested after troopers initiated a traffic stop on a 2016 Freightliner Truck at a Pilot Gas Station, 6054 Plaza Drive, Fort Myers, reports indicate.

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Two Southwest Florida men, Juan Alfredo Escalona Hidalgo, 33, of Bradenton, and passenger Raul Torralba, 42, of Lehigh Acres, are facing multiple charges in an alleged diesel fuel theft and credit card scam. They remain in Lee County jail with bond not yet set on one charge of transporting dangerous cargo (diesel fuel) and 19 counts of credit card fraud.

Detectives believe Torralba and Escalona Hidalgo  were involved with diesel fuel theft and credit card fraud, on an earlier date and different location.

Closer inspection by troopers found the truck was stolen out of Miami and illegally equipped with unlawful, welded fuel tanks that were filled with diesel fuel. Troopers confiscated a credit card skimmer, numerous stolen credit cards, and a laptop allegedly used by the duo.

Their arraignment is July 25.

Connect with breaking news reporter Michael Braun: MichaelBraunNP (Facebook), @MichaelBraunNP (Twitter) or mbraun@news-press.com. 

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lehigh Acres, Bradenton men charged in alleged fuel, credit card scam