A Christchurch man has been arrested following a number of reported fuel drive-offs valued at over $4500.
Police were first notified on 3 March where a man filled several fuel cans then drove off without paying. This behaviour was repeated several times and reported to Police.
The Beat team reviewed evidence available and followed lines of enquiry to identify the alleged offender.
A 37-year-old man appeared in the Christchurch District Court yesterday, facing 43 charges stemming from 23 separate petrol drive-offs.
The man was arrested after Police executed a search warrant at a Burnside address yesterday.
Unfortunately, none of the fuel was able to be recovered.
“Significant investigation work by the Beat team identified the man.
“We were pleased to be able hold this person to account for his prolific offending across Christchurch.
“The man made a lot of effort to steal the fuel and cover his tracks by using stolen number plates, but our team was focused on finding him,” said Constable Fuimaono.
Members of the public can purchase and install anti-theft screws to prevent stolen number plates.
This latest arrest follows over 370 fuel theft related charges laid by Police nationally since 2 March for petrol drive offs and diesel burglaries.
“Police will continue to investigate all reports of theft to find those responsible.
“We encourage people who have had fuel stolen to please report all of these thefts to Police.
“Call 111 if it’s happening now or use the 105 service online or over the phone for non-emergencies,” said Constable Fuimaono.
Police encourage the community and business to implement prevention methods to avoid fuel theft: Fuel shortage and crime prevention.
Image credit: Erik McLean
This is a wake up call folks. You see nothing affects anybody until it affects you. The effect of which is when you are conked out on a back road somewhere out of petrol because you did not have the means to fill your tank up enough. You cant shorten your life up to allow for the rip off fuel price. You still have to go to work, pick the kids up from school, buy the groceries at criminal prices and all the other overpriced goods to sustain life. Congratulations to the fuel thief I hope he shared it around with his family and mates. This could have all been prevented of course had we still had our own Refinery generating up to 70% of the Country’s requirements, it could have offset global prices heaps. Next time you all go to the polling booth folks give this a thought, about how NZ WAS SOLD DOWN THE ROAD FOR A BAG OF SILVER.
Shame he got caught! Go hard thrives do the best to take down BPs high profits.
Elsewhere, the motion lotion thieves are actually crawling under vehicles, puncturing or drilling into fuel tanks, and draining the petrol!
They use hand drills, sharpened screwdrivers, etc.
At least in winter, when the static builds-up on vehicles, maybe we’ll see a static spark ignite the stolen fuel and such people catch fire, at which time we the rate / taxpayers then foot the hospital / funeral bills for such stupid people!
Locking Gas Caps for most vehicles…
https://www.repco.co.nz/parts-service/fuel-system/fuel-caps/c/1862918213
https://www.supercheapauto.co.nz/p/tridon-tridon-locking-fuel-cap-tfl227/101815.html
https://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/p/locking-gas-cap-with-2-keys-lock-fuel-cap-compatible-with-chevy-honda-nissan/M36993439.html
Here’s where we’re all headed IF we don’t start producing our own petroleum products at a rebuilt Marsden Point Refinery…!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qvzXIYjttQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK1rXzncnhU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur1WRehFqB4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf5ZAyJBBMA