Man charged after allegedly stealing 1000 litres of diesel fuel from Queensland property

A man has allegedly fled a Sydney petrol station with about $3000 worth of diesel fuel in a bulk container.

Vision shows a man walk into the service station and talk to staff indicating he needed about 600 litres of diesel before he allegedly fled without paying for the fuel.

Nine News reported the incident happened at family-owned Budget Petrol on Baxter Rd in Mascot on Saturday.

Budget Petrol Operations Manager Diann Melas told Nine every store was an independently owned business and stealing thousand of dollars worth of fuel came out of their expenses.

“It is criminal what he has done and is very disappointing to their business,” she said.

“Come back and pay for your fuel, simple as that.”

Another man has been charged over stealing 1000 litres of diesel fuel from a rural property in southwest Queensland.

Police allege a man, 59, entered a property on Texas Yelarbon Rd in Yelarbon, about 306km southwest of Brisbane, in a white Holden Crewman between April 1 and 3.

It is alleged the man siphoned fuel from a storage unit into a bulk container on the back of his ute.

Police found the accused man on a property along the Cunningham Highway on Monday.

Police charged the Yelarbon man with stealing and he is due to face the Goondiwindi Magistrates Court next Wednesday.

Inspector Kelly Hanlen said it was disappointing to see local farmers becoming the target of fuel thieves.

“Fuel is not a luxury for our farmers – it is essential to keeping machinery running, crops and livestock tended and livelihoods afloat,” she said.

“This type of act shows a complete disregard for the hard work and challenges faced by those who help put food on our tables.”

Inspector Hanlen said theft of any kind including fuel theft would not be tolerated, and police would continue to target and weed out those responsible.

“I want to remind everyone that whether it’s one tank of fuel or large-scale diesel theft, stealing remains a criminal offence and anyone caught can expect to be brought before the court,” she said.

Police urged farmers and property owners to secure their fuel in locked or fenced areas, and to install security measures to prevent theft.

“Regularly check and record fuel levels so you can quickly identify if fuel is missing,” a police spokesman said.

“Rural communities are strong when they look out for each other. Share information with neighbours and report suspicious behaviour.”