Trio Used 44 Fake Credit Cards In Bucks Co. Wawa Gas Thefts: AG

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Two men from Philadelphia and one from New Jersey have been accused of using fake credit cards to steal thousands of gallons of diesel fuel at Wawa stores around the Philadelphia region, including in Bucks County.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Shapiro said Tuesday that Juan Zeledon-Urena, 42, and Jose Varela-Mata, 35, both Philadelphia; and Paulo Pena, 43, of Bround Book, New Jersey were arrested and charged after allegedly using fake credit cards to steal $20,000 in diesel fuel at Wawa stores in Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.

According to the AG's office, the three stole 7,000 gallons of diesel fuel from August 2019 to November 2019 using fraudulent credit cards with the personal information of 44 people.

After Zeledon-Urena, Varela-Mata, and Pena stole the fuel, they then transported it in bladders in the bed of pick-up trucks and then sold the diesel to third parties, the AG's office said.

Each is charged with corrupt organizations, identity theft, theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and access device fraud, all felony crimes. The Access Device Fraud charge against Pena is a misdemeanor. Arrest warrants for the three were issued in Delaware County for the thefts.

With reporting by Max Bennett