Williston gas theft linked to 14 other thefts by gas theft ring operating in Florida
Photos of Darias and his van courtesy of the LCSO.
Thus far,14 gas thefts are involved in this investigation.
Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO), October 30, 2024
On October 18, 2024, Officer Godkin with the Williston Police Department observed a suspicious van (see upper left photo, above) parked in the parking lot of a closed gas station in Williston, and as he drove past the gas station, the van hastily exited the parking lot and accelerated to a speed in excess of the posted speed limit. Officer Godkin pursued the vehicle in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver continued fleeing from the officer, eventually abandoning the vehicle and running away into a nearby subdivision.
Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) deputies responded to the location to assist Officer Godkin. LCSO Deputy Morris witnessed a car abruptly braking and a person exiting the woods to enter the car. A traffic stop was conducted on this car, and the driver and passenger were detained.
LCSO Detective Barrera responded to the location. His investigation determined that the passenger of the car - 25 year-old Livan Olano Darias, of Miami, Florida (see his mugshot, above, on lower right) - was also the driver of the van who fled from Williston Police Officer Godkin. Darias was placed under arrest.
The investigation determined that Darias was attempting to steal diesel fuel from the in-ground tank of the gas station. The van he abandoned was modified for this purpose. The van had a hole cut into the floor (see lower left photo, above), approximately 400 gallons of onboard fuel storage, and high flow pumps to extract the fuel from the ground tank (see upper right photo, above).
Darias was charged with multiple felonies; he posted a bond of $27,500 bond and was released. Additional warrants for his arrest are expected to be issued as this investigation continues.
The driver of the car who picked up Darias was identified, but his identify was not released. Warrants for his arrest have been issued.
During this investigation, LCSO Detective Barrera has been in contact with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Agriculture and Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and thus far, more than 14 cases of fuel theft from numerous counties south of Levy County are being associated to a group that appears to be affiliated.
The Levy County Sheriff's Office urges citizens to be observant of suspicious vehicles and promptly report any they see to the law enforcement agency in their area.