FUEL thieves have hit the Penola Golf Club for the fourth time this year with 200 litres of diesel stolen in this weekend’s latest incident.
Police officers are investigating and seeking witnesses to the theft, which occurred overnight on December 12.
Limestone Coast Police officer in charge Superintendent Phil Hoff said fuel theft was on the rise in the region over the last 10 months, with a number of incidents reported to police.
Supt Hoff said the largest theft recorded resulted in the loss of around 3000 litres of fuel.
“These things happen at night time and obviously people are going into the criminal act equip in the way they can carry large quantities,” he said.
Supt Hoff said farms are often targeted because criminal movements are harder to detect in isolated areas.
“We have been unable to see any particular pattern between all of the thefts,” he said.
“At the Penola Golf Club there was a chain cut.
“We are now urging those with fuel on their property to take extra measures in regards to security.”
Supt Hoff urged farm owners and others with large quantities of fuel to bolster their security measures and consider installing detectors, alarms and security cameras.
He said chains and padlocks can easily be broken by would-be thieves.
“Closed circuit security cameras are able to be connected to mobile phones so you can see the activity,” he said.
The fuel theft was among a number of incidents occurring around the region last week, with another theft in Kingston on December 11.
A shed at a home on Cooke Street, Kingston was entered and camping goods and tools were stolen.
A house on Holland Street, Kingston and a take-away store on Young Street, Penola were broken into last week, but nothing appeared to be taken from either location.
“This is a little more than what we have experienced in the past and we do have a couple of lines of inquiry that we are following up,” he said.
“Residents must remember the safer their property looks the less likely there will be criminal activity due to fear of being caught.
Supt Hoff reminded individuals to be mindful of their mobile phones and bank cards and ensure any suspicious transactions are reported immediately.
“Some people do take advantage of a momentary lapse of an innocent party,” he said.
“Members of the public should be treating their credit cards and mobile phones as if they are cash because essentially they are especially during this busy period.”
Anyone with information on either events are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestopperssa.com.au.
