MIAMI (CBS4) – Two men accused of manipulating gas pumps to allow drivers to fill up their vehicles faced a judge Thursday.

Jean McKenzie, 26, and Lazaro Penera, 22, are accused of charging drivers for the fraudulent self-service, police said.

Police say the latest incident occurred in Hialeah on May 18th at 4:41 p.m. Police followed McKenzie and Penera as they drove to the Amerika Gas Station at 875 E. 49th Street.

Police say the observed Penera park his black Lincoln at pump no. 2. Two Miami detectives watched as he allegedly manipulated "the mechanism in the interior of the fuel pump."

Penera then walked to the neighboring Hess gas station where he waited for drivers to pay him, police said.

On Thursday, a  judge held them for a probable cause hearing because the arrest form did not say how much gas was stolen in the latest heist.

It's a common crime that gas station owners say has increased as the cost of fuel continues to climb.

Last week, thieves targeted 275 gallons of petrol in 90 minutes causing the owner to lose about $1,150. McKenzie is also a suspect in that case.

Frank Veloso showed CBS4's Peter D'Oench the surveillance tape of the theft of the fuel from one of his main pumps. The crime wave started at 9:30 Tuesday night and last 90 minutes.

Veloso says he has taken steps to curb the crime at his Chevron station on S.W. 8th St. at 22nd Avenue. He has added extra locks to the doors of his pumps and police have stepped up their patrols in the area.

"This is very, very upsetting to me," said Veloso. "I was very angry. Part of me wanted to laugh because they were so brazen. That these people can come here and even when there are a lot of customers here, that they could find a way to steal fuel for an hour and a half."

The masterminds of the crime may have used a crowbar to break open the door of the gas pump.

"Then they dislodged one lever," said Veloso. "It happens where they do this and they take the most expensive product, which is premium. And maybe they have Twitter accounts or text messages and they allow their friends to come around."

Surveillance images in that case captured 16 vehicles involved in the thefts. One red van is even seen blocking the view from a cashier's window.

An alert customer tipped employees that the theft was happening.

"The message is that you are going to get caught. I'm going to make it my mission along with the Police department for whoever sees this broadcast to please call the authorities and find you. Sooner or later, we're going to find you. You are going to get caught."

Veloso is not alone. He has spoken to other station owners who have been victimized in this way.

If you know anything at all, call Miami Police or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305 471-TIPS (8477).