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Cheltenham couple charged with stealing petrol on 90 different occasions using specially modified van

CCTV footage has emerged of a specially modified van allegedly used in a huge spate of petrol thefts across Adelaide.

The Advertiser/7NEWS Adelaide: Thursday, March 30, 2023

A video has been released showing a van, suspected of being used to steal copious amounts of petrol, at a service station.

A Cheltenham couple has been charged with stealing petrol on 90 different occasions.

Police allege the pair has stolen petrol and diesel, in large quantities, from several service stations in metropolitan Adelaide since August last year.

The van was specially fitted with a 1000l fuel tank to allow the couple to allegedly steal and store huge amounts of petrol. Picture: Kelly Barnes
The van was specially fitted with a 1000l fuel tank to allow the couple to allegedly steal and store huge amounts of petrol. Picture: Kelly Barnes
It was rigged up with a pump, hose and bowser to distribute the petrol. Picture: Kelly Barnes
It was rigged up with a pump, hose and bowser to distribute the petrol. Picture: Kelly Barnes
Inside the modified HiAce van used in the petrol drive-offs. Picture: Kelly Barnes
Inside the modified HiAce van used in the petrol drive-offs. Picture: Kelly Barnes

On Saturday the couple, a 28-year-old woman and 33-year-old man, were arrested by Western District police at a Cheltenham address.

Inside the modified HiAce van used in the petrol drive-offs. Picture: Kelly Barnes
Inside the modified HiAce van used in the petrol drive-offs. Picture: Kelly Barnes

The couple allegedly used a specially-modified white Toyota Hiace van with a 1000-litre fuel tank for the thefts.

The white van was also equipped with a pump, hose and bowser that was used for distribution.

The van was seized and found to have 420 litres of petrol in it at the time. Two gel blasters were also located at the property.

The couple used an app and fraudulently obtained credit card details to steal thousands of dollars of fuel.

It was then pumped into the van, jerry cans and tanks.

The pair stopped using the app in January, instead stealing the petrol by driving off without payment.

The man and women were each charged with multiple counts of taking off without payment, possessing a firearm without licence and breach of bail.

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

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-sa/a-cheltenham-couple-were-arrested-for-stealing-petrol-on-90-different-occasions/news-story/1329dbff8464a27f43d8d4f1a2bf2a74