CHENANGO COUNTY — Two individuals have been arrested following a five-month investigation into the theft of diesel fuel from local gas stations throughout the county.
The investigation began earlier this year after the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office received reports of approximately $70,000 worth of diesel fuel stolen from businesses throughout Chenango County.
Deputies reviewed security footage from several affected locations, which provided key vehicle descriptions used in the ongoing investigation.
On Sept. 15 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Chenango County deputies observed a vehicle matching the description of the suspected vehicle at a local gas station.
Two individuals were actively engaged in stealing diesel fuel when deputies intervened.
Both suspects were detained without incident.
Following the arrests, a search warrant was executed on the suspect vehicles.
During the search, members of the Detective Division recovered 85 stolen credit cards, card skimming devices and electronic equipment used to steal debit and credit card information.
The two vehicles seized were found to have custom storage tanks believed to be able to hold over a thousand gallons of fuel.
The two individuals arrested have been identified as Victor Martinez, 38, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Osnely Pino Arago, 44, of Miami, Florida.
Both Martinez and Arago have been charged with 85 counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, two counts of grand larceny in the third degree and unlawful possession of a skimmer device.
Martinez and Arago were both arraigned at centralized arraignment and released on their own recognizance.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is working with multiple agencies across the state.
