Just before 2:00 a.m. Friday morning March 25th, 2022, Corporal Collins with the Lake Lure Police Department was called to the Ingles on N.C. Hwy 9 regarding a large UHaul truck that was parked by the pumps at the gas station.
The night previously, around 8:00 p.m. Sergeant Umphlett had taken a report when Ingles discovered that 833 gallons of diesel fuel had been pumped from the diesel pump between the hours of 1:23 a.m. and 3:23 a.m. During this investigation, videos were discovered from several other places of business up the road from Ingles that showed the same truck had passed their location earlier that morning. Sergeant Umphlett also discovered that two other employees had previously seen the same truck and occupants on numerous occasions after the store closed, over the last month.
Friday morning after store employees again saw the Uhaul truck and called 9-1-1, Corporal Collins arrived at the Ingles observing the large UHaul truck parked parallel with the pumps. After observing both males, Corporal Collins, in an attempt to speak to the two males, witnessed them both retreat in an attempt to conceal themselves. Corporal Collins detained both individuals until backup arrived.
The subjects were attempting to steal diesel fuel from Ingles by hacking into the pumps allowing them to steal fuel without paying for it. Corporal Collins arrested both Dajon Akeem Ranard Howard and Taqwam Omar Sharif Abrams, both of Sumter South Carolina. They were both taken to Rutherford County Detention Center.
Large capacity IBC (plastic) containers stored in the back of the UHaul Truck were used to put hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel in.
This event is still under investigation. This crime however is apparently becoming a way for thieves to make some quick money as prices increase. Should you see large trucks at service stations, late night or early morning, when the stores are closed, please be vigilant and call the police to investigate.
