Police have charged a Coominya man following an investigation into a spate of fuel drive off offences in the Lockyer Valley and Ipswich regions over the past five months.
The 37-year-old presented himself to the Laidley Police station this morning, January 23, following a public appeal for information.
He’s been charged with a total of 23 offences including seven counts of stealing, eight counts of using false registration plates and eight counts of unlicensed driving.
He’s due to face the Gatton Magistrates Court on February 18.
Police wish to thank the public for their assistance.
Earlier: Police are seeking public assistance to help identify a man who has been involved in a spate of fuel drive offs between Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley, over the past five months.
On seven separate occasions, the man has driven a 4WD to service stations between Gatton and Fernvale, filling his vehicle with fuel before driving off without paying.
The first incident occurred at a Hatton Vale service station on Warrego Highway on July 30, the second at a Plainland service station on Echidna Road on August 16, the third at a Gatton service station on Railway Street on September 8, the fourth at a service station on the Brisbane Valley Highway at Fernvale on September 12, the fifth at a service station on the Brisbane Valley Highway at Fernvale on October 5, the sixth at a Hatton Vale service station on the Warrego Highway on November 30 and the seventh at a Plainland service station on Echidna Road on December 28.
The vehicle he is driving is a white Nissan Navara 4WD with a distinctive front grill.
It is alleged the man is using three different sets of number plates, Queensland Registration 498HI8, 101TWI, and 1AZI356 to commit the offences.
It is further alleged the man has also altered the vehicles canopy and roof racks, to avoid detection.
The man is described as 30–40-years-old with tanned/olive skin and bushy greying beard.
Anyone who has any information which may assist with this investigation is being urged to contact police.