Alabama man detained, charged in fuel theft

Opelika, AL, United States (4E) – A 32-year-old man has been arrested Friday and charged with theft of property after taking more than 1,000 gallons of fuel from an establishment in Opelika, Alabama last month.

According to Opelika Police Captain Bruce DeLong, Joshua Blanton Smith, who allegedly stole the fuel from the East Alabama Paving Company on December 28, was taken into custody through the help of the public and surveillance video images.

DeLong said several people called police and notified them about the identity of the man shown in the video photos.

After authorities contacted Smith Friday afternoon, he went to the police station where he was questioned and arrested.

Smith was transferred to the Lee County Detention center, before posting a $5,000 bond later that evening.

Authorities are investigating the theft and checking if the stolen fuel was sold.

It was reported that several padlocks were cut, and gas pumps and nozzles were also damaged during the incident.

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