Petrol thieves strike again
According to Blue Security's managing director, Darryn le Grange, there has been an increase in petrol theft in recent weeks.
BLUE Security has warned garage owners and petrol attendants to be vigilant following a spike in fuel theft across the Durban area during the past few weeks.
The company’s managing director, Darryn le Grange, said they had received reports every week of incidents where petrol thieves had refueled their vehicle’s tanks at petrol stations and fled without paying.
“In two incidents, the driver of a green Toyota Corolla, who filled up with petrol at a garage in Mayville, and the driver of a white Toyota Quantum filled up with petrol at a garage in Umbilo, fled without paying,” said le Grange.
The fuel thieves had also targeted petrol stations in Pinetown, Clare Estate, Westmead, Northdene and Durban North. “In one incident in North Coast Road, the driver of a white bakkie filled up with petrol and fled as did the driver in a green BMW who filled up his vehicle’s tank at a garage in Athlone Drive and drove off without paying for the petrol. Both incidents took place in broad daylight,” said le Grange. He noted that most of the incidents reported had taken place after 6pm in the evening.
“Unfortunately, due to the spiraling petrol price, petrol station owners have now become easy prey for opportunistic criminals.”
Le Grange advised petrol station owners to install CCTV cameras with highly visible signage warning that video footage is being recorded of all activity on the forecourt. “It’s also important for staff to remember to always record the registration numbers of vehicles that fuel up at the garage before customers are allowed to put fuel in their tanks. Some garage owners have also invested in pumps that enable staff to siphon petrol out of vehicle tanks to deal with instances where thieves claim that they “forgot” their bank cards at home in a bid to drive off and never return to pay for the petrol.”
Le Grange said it was important for petrol station owners to report incidents to their local police station for investigation.
“There has been an upward trend in this type of theft lately which makes it essential for petrol station owners to lay criminal charges against perpetrators to ensure that they are made an example of and that they face the full wrath of the law,” he added.
