Police investigating dozens of petrol thefts from Adelaide service stations in recent months have arrested two people who allegedly used a modified 1,000-litre fuel tank to steal thousands of dollars worth of fuel.
Key points:
- The modified van contained a 1000-litre fuel tank fitted with a bowser, hose and pump, police said
- Police alleged it was used to steal thousands of dollars worth of petrol and diesel
- A 28-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man have been arrested
The couple from Adelaide’s north-west have allegedly been stealing petrol and diesel since August, using what police described as a “specifically modified white Toyota Hiace van”.
The 28-year-old woman and 33-year-old man were arrested when police searched a Cheltenham address on Saturday and seized the van, which had allegedly been modified to boost its fuel capacity to 1,000 litres.
The tank allegedly contained 420 litres of fuel at the time and was fitted with a bowser, hose and pump “to distribute the stolen fuel”, police said.
Police alleged that thousands of dollars worth of fuel was pumped into the van and jerry cans found inside it in recent months and that the couple used fraudulently obtained credit card details to pay for the fuel via an app.
“Since January, the suspects ceased using the app and instead stole fuel by driving off without payment,” police said.
Police described the spate of crimes as “systematic theft” and said they were “investigating 90 individual reports” of stolen fuel across the metropolitan area.
Police also seized two gel blasters which were allegedly found at the Cheltenham address.
The couple was charged with multiple counts of making off without payment, possessing a firearm without a licence and breach of bail.
Police said they have since appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court and that investigations are ongoing.