ST. CLOUD, Minn. (WCCO) – First Fuel Banks said hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage was done to two of their locations after someone poured an unknown substance into diesel storage tanks, authorities say.
The St. Cloud Police Department is seeking any information on finding who intentionally contaminated the fuel at the First Fuel locations at Lincoln Avenue and Waite Park on Friday. Not only did it damage First Fuel’s diesel products, but several city of St. Cloud vehicles were damaged, as well as some private business vehicles. The damage to the city vehicles is estimated at tens of thousands of dollars.
The First Fuel Bank owner said customers started calling when their trucks started shutting down.
“Our dad started the business back in 1963,” First Fuel Banks CEO Jim D. Feneis said. “I was 8, now I’m 58 today. This is supposed to be a joyous time and a fun time. How we’ve dealt with such a silent, brutal cowardly attack is beyond us.”
The tainted tanks had to be suctioned out and the pipes vacuumed. First Fuel thinks it could be $1 million to fix it.
If you have any information, call the St. Cloud Police Department at 320-345-4444 or the Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 800-255-1301.
You can even text TRITIP to 274637.
Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 and First Fuel Bank’s reward is an additional $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
