A 59-year-old man has been charged in relation to the alleged theft of 1000 litres of diesel fuel from a Yelarbon property earlier this month.
It will be alleged sometime between April 1 and 3 the man entered a property on Texas Yelarbon Road driving a white 2006 Holden Crewman utility before siphoning fuel from a storage unit into an intermediate bulk container on the back of his vehicle.
Following investigations by local police, with assistance from the local community, the man was located on a property along the Cunningham Highway at Yelarbon on 13 April.
A 59-year-old Yelarbon man has been charged with one count of stealing and is due to appear in the Goondiwindi Magistrates Court on 22 April.
Darling Down District Warwick Patrol Group Inspector Kelly Hanlen said it is 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,” Inspector Hanlen 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 will not be tolerated and police will 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.”
To help minimise the risk of fuel theft, rural property owners are being encouraged to take the following simple steps to help protect their fuel supplies.
- Secure fuel storage – Where possible keep fuel tanks in locked or fenced areas and use fuel caps or locks to prevent easy access.
- Install lighting and cameras – Motion sensor lighting and CCTV around fuel storage areas can deter offenders and help identify those responsible.
- Limit visibility – Position fuel tanks and storage areas out of direct sight from the road where possible to reduce temptation.
- Keep accurate records – Regularly check and record fuel levels so you can quickly identify if fuel is missing.
- Use signage – Signs indicating CCTV or security measures act as a deterrent to opportunistic thieves.
- Be alert to suspicious activity – Take note of unfamiliar vehicles or people near properties, particularly after hours, and safely record registration numbers if possible.
- Work with neighbours – Rural communities are strong when they look out for each other. Share information with neighbours and report suspicious behaviour.
- Report incidents to police – Even small fuel thefts should be reported as it helps police identify patterns and target offenders operating in rural areas.
For more information visit: Rural crime prevention | QPS
