Milton man arrested for stealing 54,884 gallons of gas

Saturday a Milton man was arrested by the Escambia County Sheriff's Office for stealing over 54,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

Dennis Lawson, 56 of 5352 E Avenita de Golf in Milton, was charged with first degree felony grand theft after investigators discovered that Lawson had stolen approximately 54,884 gallons of diesel fuel, which is valued at over $179,000.

Following Lawson’s arrest he has been released after posting a $50,000 bond.

Lawson, a 26-year employee of Florida Rock and Tank Lines is charged after investigators observed Lawson pump two 55-gallon drums full of diesel fuel.

The same investigators followed Lawson to a self-storage unit, where it was determined he was reselling the fuel at a lower cost.

Florida Rock and Tank Lines noticed discrepancies and hired a private investigator to look into the matter before turning the case over to the Escambia County Sheriff's Office.

According to Lawson’s arrest report the investigation by Florida Tank Lines determined that a theft of fuel had been occurring since or around Oct. 1, 2009.