MIAMI -- Investigators say they have arrested the ringleader of a gas theft ring.

Initiated in August 2004, "Operation Gas Leak" is an investigation by the Miami-Dade police and several federal agencies into the theft and resale of fuel in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Since 2004, more than 55 people have been arrested in connection with the alleged gas theft ring. Police have also seized a large number of vehicles used to transport fuel.

Wednesday, police arrested 47-year-old Vicente Moran on Tuesday. Investigators said Moran masterminded the theft of thousands of gallons of gasoline.

Investigators said that in some of the thefts, modified trucks with tanks large enough to hold up to 1,000 gallons of fuel were used. The trucks were equipped with electric pumps to siphon fuel directly out of the underground storage tanks of gasoline stations, according to police.

The gas thieves would randomly target gas stations and they would pump fuel directly from storage tanks into the modified trucks, police said.

Investigators said all the thefts happened while the gas stations were open to the public and without station attendants ever finding out.

Moran is charged with conspiracy, organized fraud and dealing in stolen property, as well as violation of the Florida Racketeering Influence and Corruption Organization Act. He is being held on $2 million bail.