Man allegedly stole over 2,400 gallons of gas in Monroe County
Lionel Jones. Courtesy of Monroe County Sheriff's Office
MONROE COUNTY, Ga. - The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man in connection with the theft of more than 2,400 gallons of gasoline from a gas station on Rumble Road.
What we know:
The theft occurred between Jan. 19 and 20 while the station was closed. The store owner reported that a total of 2,446 gallons of gas had been stolen. Investigators utilized the FLOCK camera system to identify a gray SUV and a U-Haul truck suspected to be involved in the theft, leading to a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) being issued for the vehicles.
On Jan. 23, around midnight, a Monroe County deputy spotted a U-Haul truck matching the description. During the traffic stop, deputies noted a strong smell of gasoline coming from the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed two 250-gallon plastic tanks inside the truck, both nearly empty of gasoline.
The driver, identified as 27-year-old Lionel Jones, was arrested at the scene. He is facing charges of theft by taking, possession of marijuana less than an ounce, and criminal attempt to commit a felony. Jones is being held at the Monroe County Jail without bond.
What's next:
The investigation is ongoing.