Diesel thieves hit Wairarapa firm

TARGETED: Thieves stole thousands of dollars worth of diesel from the Bruce Buchanan aggregate plant. PHOTOS/SUE TEODORO

Diesel worth $2500 siphoned from tank

Thieves have stolen what is believed to be thousands of dollars worth of diesel from an industrial site in the latest fuel theft in the region.

It was understood up to $2500 worth of fuel was stolen from the Bruce Buchanan aggregate plant on SH2 near the Waiohine River on Wednesday night.

Aggregates manager Paul Strange said he believed about 1200 litres of diesel was siphoned from a 5000 litre tank into a smaller tanker which was then removed from the site.

It appeared the thieves were quite organised and had used a "substantial grinder" to open the gate in order to gain access to the site, Mr Strange said.

Thefts had occurred before but this was the biggest he could recall, he said.

Senior Sergeant Jymahl Glassey confirmed police were investigating the theft and would be checking for surveillance footage.

The theft is one of several fuel thefts to occur in the region in the past 12 months.

In September more than 500 litres of fuel was stolen from a farm in South Wairarapa, and in February a fuel tanker containing about 200 litres of diesel was stolen from the Matahiwi Winery.

Higgins contracting manager Andrew Linton said minor fuel thefts were common.

"Over the years we've had quite a bit. Quite regularly anything that's left overnight gets cleaned out," he said.

"They are pretty professional some of them ... you'll have nothing for a few months and all of a sudden you'll get a call that says we've got nothing in our tanks."

During the 15 years he had worked for the company fuel theft had remained "steady", he said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Miller said a key message was to contact police before crimes occurred.

"Take note of any suspicious behaviour ... and if people do see anything suspicious make sure they get a description of the person and of any vehicles, especially the registration. Try to report things before they happen - don't be afraid to talk to police.

"If they think it's a potential crime, report it early."

-Anyone with information should contact police on 06 3700378 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.