Multi-State Diesel Theft Ring Busted: Suspect Faces Felony Charges

Key Details Adrian Pena-Acevedo has been charged with Class D felonies for stealing over 8,000 gallons of diesel across four Midwestern states. The Clay County Prosecutor's Office in Missouri filed charges after Love's Loss Prevention reported suspicious activity at a Kansas City truck stop on May 12, 2026. How the Scheme Worked Investigators say Pena-Acevedo used skimming devices on fuel pump card readers to harvest legitimate payment information and create counterfeit clone cards. He then used these cards to steal diesel fuel at Love's Travel Stops across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, totaling $35,327.60 in losses. Why It Matters This case underscores a growing threat to truck drivers and fleet operators. Fuel theft rings drive up costs for everyone in the industry. Pena-Acevedo faces up to 7 years in prison and $10,000 fines per charge, with an arrest warrant and $100,000 bond issued. Protect Yourself Tug card readers before use to detect loose skimmers. Watch for broken security seals. Shield the keypad when entering your PIN. Whenever possible, use tap-to-pay, mobile wallets, or pay the attendant inside to bypass external pump readers entirely. Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.