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Cheltenham pair charged over fuel thefts

Police have arrested a Cheltenham couple in connection with the systematic theft of fuel from across the metropolitan area.

It will be alleged since August 2022 the pair stole large quantities of petrol and diesel from a number of service stations using a specifically modified white Toyota Hiace van.

Police are investigating 90 individual reports of theft.

Thousands of dollars’ worth of fuel was pumped into the van, jerry cans and tanks located inside the van and then paid for utilizing an app and fraudulently obtained credit card details.

Since January, the suspects ceased using the app and instead stole fuel by driving off without payment.

On Saturday 25 March, Western District Police attended a Cheltenham address, arrested two suspects and seized a van that had been modified with a 1000-litre fuel tank.

There were approximately 420 litres of diesel in the tank.

The fuel tank was fitted with a bowser, hose and pump to distribute the stolen fuel.

Officers also located and seized two gel blasters from the property.

A 28-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man, both from Cheltenham, were arrested and charged with multiple counts of making off without payment, possess a firearm without a licence and breach of bail.

They were refused police bail and appeared in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday.

Investigations are continuing.

CO2300011996

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