Teenager Arrested After Alleged Fuel Theft and Dangerous Police Pursuit North of Adelaide
A 19-year-old man will remain behind bars over the long weekend, facing serious charges related to the theft of a diesel fuel tank and a subsequent dangerous police chase in a stolen four-wheel drive north of Adelaide. Police allege the incident involved multiple thefts and a high-speed pursuit that ended with the suspect's arrest in a nearby glasshouse.
Details of the Alleged Crimes and Police Response
According to authorities, the young man is accused of stealing a diesel tank from a Reeves Plains sports club earlier in the week, along with a vehicle taken from a Korunye business. CCTV footage captured the moment the alleged thief made his getaway, hauling a trailer loaded with hundreds of litres of diesel, which has been described as "liquid gold" due to its current high value as a resource.
It is further alleged that the suspect had siphoned fuel from a nearby farm and was actively searching for more when the crimes occurred. Steven Burgess, a member of the sports club, expressed frustration, stating, "He drained the fuel out of our fuel tank. Just any little thing he could throw in his car." Police confirmed that the getaway vehicle was also stolen, adding to the severity of the charges.
Dangerous Chase and Arrest in Lewiston
During the pursuit, police deployed tyre spikes at Lewiston, causing the four-wheel drive to crash through a fence and into a paddock. The driver attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended in a nearby glasshouse. Burgess commented on the incident, saying, "He wouldn't have stopped… until police had stopped him. Society needs to be protected from people like this guy."
The stolen diesel, now contaminated and rendered unusable even if recovered, represents a significant loss for the affected farmer. The 19-year-old Riverlea Park man was denied police bail and is scheduled to face court on Tuesday, where he will answer to the allegations in a formal legal proceeding.
