Man Charged Over Alleged 1000 Litre Diesel Theft from Queensland Farm
A 59-year-old man has been formally charged in connection with the alleged theft of 1,000 litres of diesel from a farm located in rural Queensland. According to police reports, the incident occurred on Texas Yelarbon Road in Yelarbon, approximately a 1.5-hour drive west of Stanthorpe, between April 1 and April 3.
Details of the Alleged Theft
Authorities allege that the man arrived at the property in a white 2006 Holden Crewman utility vehicle. He then purportedly siphoned the diesel from a storage unit into an intermediate bulk container that was loaded onto the back of his vehicle before departing the scene. With crucial assistance from the local community, police officers were able to track the suspect to a property along the Cunningham Highway at Yelarbon on April 13.
Body-worn camera footage released by Queensland Police captured the moment officers approached the man. In the video, an officer is heard saying, "Hey, I came to check up on you — I think you’re up to a bit of mischief." The man replies, "Who?" to which the officer responds, "You, with this — about a thousand litres of diesel. So, I’ve got to take you back to the station and have a yarn about it." The alleged thief calmly answers, "No worries," and when asked if any diesel remained, he stated, "No."
Police Response and Charges
The Yelarbon man has since been charged with one count of stealing and is scheduled to appear in the Goondiwindi Magistrates Court on April 22. Darling Downs District Warwick Patrol Group Inspector Kelly Hanlen expressed disappointment over the incident, highlighting the significant impact on local farmers.
Inspector Hanlen emphasized, "Fuel is not a luxury for our farmers — it is essential to keeping machinery running, crops and livestock tended and livelihoods afloat. This type of act shows a complete disregard for the hard work and challenges faced by those who help put food on our tables." She further stated that police would continue to actively target offenders involved in rural theft, reminding everyone that stealing, whether small or large-scale, remains a criminal offence with legal consequences.
Warning and Prevention Tips for Farmers
In response to this latest theft, police have issued a stern warning and urged farmers to take proactive steps to secure their fuel supplies. Authorities recommend the following measures to deter and prevent such crimes:
- Lock it up: Keep fuel tanks in secured or fenced areas with caps or locks.
- Light it up: Utilize motion lighting and CCTV systems to deter and identify potential offenders.
- Keep it hidden: Position fuel storage out of sight from roads to reduce visibility.
- Track levels: Regularly check and record fuel quantities to spot any losses early.
- Use signage: Display CCTV or security signs to act as a deterrent to thieves.
- Stay alert: Watch for unfamiliar vehicles or people, especially during after-hours periods.
- Look out for each other: Share information with neighbours and promptly report any suspicious activity.
- Report all thefts: Even minor incidents should be reported to help police identify patterns and target offenders operating in rural areas.
Authorities stress that reporting all fuel thefts, no matter how small, is crucial as it assists officers in tracking criminal patterns and apprehending offenders. Anyone with additional information related to this case or similar incidents is strongly encouraged to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers.
