In a significant crackdown on credit fraud, the Covington Police Department (CPD) has apprehended two individuals associated with a string of fraudulent diesel gas sales at local CO-OP 24/7 fuel pumps, as per the information detailed on their Facebook page. According to the CPD's own account, detectives received a tip-off about suspicious transactions occurring between September 9 and December 2, 2024, with the fraudulent sale of approximately 18,000 gallons of diesel fuel, translating to roughly $63,000 in financial loss.
Initial reports suggested that the thieves were using large trucks to syphon diesel into sizable containers before charging the fuel to fake credit card accounts, a method that was first spotted by vigilant CO-OP staff. Detectives, in collaboration with multiple law enforcement agencies including the Tennessee Highway Patrol Criminal Investigations Division, Memphis Police Department, and Somerville Police Department, initiated a sophisticated investigation employing advanced technology and consequently identified three suspects; Rylan Hughes, 22, and Jordan Sykes, 23, were arrested on January 24 and January 28, respectively, following search warrants led to the recovery of several debit cards and cell phones at Hughes' residence along with a white Ford F350 truck, which was confirmed as part of the theft operation securing it at the CPD seizure lot; Sykes was arrested later that week.
The CPD has successfully charged both Hughes and Sykes with Theft of Property Over $1,000.00, holding them on a $100,000.00 bond at the Tipton County Sheriff's Office. A third suspect, Andre Davis, Jr., identified by the CPD as part of the scheme, remains at large with active warrants for the same charge. Davis is believed to be evading arrest and information about his whereabouts should be directed to the CPD Criminal Investigations Division or through Crime Stoppers Memphis, as indicated in the department's social media announcement.
Emphasizing the cooperative approach in law enforcement, Chief Donna Turner stated, "This case is a prime example of how criminals are crossing jurisdictions to commit these schemes," according to the police department's Facebook narrative, "We are continuing to investigate this case and ask if you think you have been a victim of a fraudulent charge on your credit card at a CO-OP 24/7 Fuel Pump Station, to contact CID." Turner further assured that their efforts against criminal activities would not be hindered by city boundaries, exemplifying a commitment to extend their cooperation with local, State, and Federal agencies to ensure heightened security for the community, expecting additional charges to arise as the sprawling investigation continues.
