Skimmers found at Sarasota gas stations

SARASOTA (FOX 13) - The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office says two Miami men have been arrested for installing skimming devices at three Sarasota gas stations.

Patrol deputies were called to a closed Sunoco gas station in the 4100 block of Bee Ridge Road around 1 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a suspicious white Chevy Camaro.

Deputies say the Camaro was pulling away from the gas station as they arrived.

They stopped the vehicle and talked to the driver, 18-year-old Michel Varona-Saavedra, and a passenger, 34-year-old Yoandy Perez-Del Prado.

Deputies searched their vehicle and found two skimming devices, cordless drills, and keys that give access to gas pumps.

Deputies checked the gas station and found two additional skimming devices installed on the pumps.

Detectives say they now believe the two men put skimmer devices on pumps at two more gas stations: the Citgo at 4529 Bee Ridge Road and the 7-11 at 6104 South Tamiami Trail.

Both of these stations' pumps were in full operation at the time they were found.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office says customers who purchased gas at these locations should check their bank statements for suspicious transactions, no matter how small the amount. 

Varona-Saavedra and Perez-Del Prado have been charged with possession of the skimming devices and offense against a computer network. Varona-Saavedra is also charged with trafficking counterfeit credit cards.

They are being held at the Sarasota County Jail.