(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

GAS AND DASH

Fuel thefts up 70 per cent in 2022 says RCMP

Mar 6, 2023 | 5:16 PM

As gas prices shot up in 2022, so did the number of fuel thefts according to Saskatchewan RCMP.

Police say that in 2022, they received 818 reports of fuel theft, an increase of 70 per cent compared to 2021.

Of those 818 reports, over 60 came were received by Battlefords RCMP, the most in the province. Saskatoon came in second with 58 while Shellbrook was next with 46.

Most of the reports, over 500 of them, were from someone filling up at a gas station and leaving without paying.

Over 100 reports were of the theft of large fuel tanks or heavy machinery, either by siphoning or drilling the tank and 106 reports were of theft from bulk fuel tanks at businesses, farms, or RMs. The remainder of the thefts were of jerry cans and similar containers.

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Reports of fuel thefts have continued this year, including two incidents of gas tank drilling reported to Punnichy RCMP on Feb. 27.

RCMP are providing several tips for drivers including locking fuel tanks and ensuring the area they are in is well lit and reporting any suspicious activity to police.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @princealbertnow