A 29-year-old man is to face Lismore Local Court next month accused with stealing petrol.
Officers say they started investigating reports of a driver driving away without paying for fuel at a service station in South Lismore in February.
They say the man refuelled a silver SUV on fifteen occasions across six different service stations in the Lismore, South Lismore, and West Ballina areas.
He’s accused of failing to pay for more than $2,000 worth of fuel between 1 February and 13 April, including on ten separate occasions at the same South Lismore service station.
Police allege the man sometimes used stolen registration plates during the offences.
Officers arrested a 29-year-old man on Dibbs Street in Coraki around 7.20pm last Friday evening, 17 April.
He’s charged with fifteen counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception and two counts of unlawfully possessing number plates.
He’s received conditional bail to appear at Lismore Local Court on 18 May.
Stop the pump: police advise petrol sellers
Richmond Police District Commander Superintendent David Roptell has shared some tips for fuel retailers and says personal visits from Crime Prevention Officers are an option.
Most service stations have high quality CCTV, Superintendent Roptell says, but it’s even more important for business owners and staffs to learn ‘the know-hows to prevent the potential crime and protect their assets’.
‘If you find any suspicious customer, record the registration of the vehicle, stop the pump and confirm the payment method with the driver,’ says Superintendent Roptell.
Pre-paid fuel systems are also an option.
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