Fuel thieves on the prowl

POLICE are urging the community to be vigilant following a fuel siphoning incident near Penola which saw almost 750 litres of diesel stolen.

A Wangolina property at Eight Mile Creek was hit last month with hundreds of litres of fuel siphoned from a farming storage container.

The incidents are believed to have occurred on several occasions from December 12 to 18.

Police believe the offenders have a ute with a large portable storage container and have electric pumps they are able to connect to a battery.

The electric method siphons fuel quickly and quietly.

Millicent Police Senior Sergeant First Class Rick Errington said the recent theft follows a spate of similar offences around Penola a month ago.

He said trailers with siphoning equipment went missing last year and it appeared they were now being used in the thefts.

“We urge people to be vigilant of utility vehicles or vehicles towing trailers containing vessels capable of siphoning fuel, particularly around the back roads of Millicent, Robe and Penola,” he said.

“In this instance, the diesel was taken from an above ground tank.

“It is likely the offenders used a tripod stand to siphon it into their vehicles.”