A Coominya resident has been charged following an extensive investigation into multiple fuel thefts across the Lockyer Valley and Ipswich regions over the past five months.
The 37-year-old voluntarily attended the Laidley Police Station on 23 January, responding to a public appeal for information regarding the offences.
He now faces 23 charges, including seven counts of theft, eight counts of using false registration plates, and eight counts of driving without a valid licence. The accused is set to appear before Gatton Magistrates’ Court on 18 February.
Police have expressed their gratitude to the public for their valuable assistance in this matter.
Background: Appeal for Public Assistance
Earlier, police sought help from the public to identify an individual believed to be connected to a string of fuel thefts in the Ipswich and Lockyer Valley areas over the last five months.
On seven separate occasions, the man allegedly drove a white Nissan Navara 4WD to various service stations between Gatton and Fernvale. At each location, he reportedly filled the vehicle with fuel before leaving without paying.
The first incident occurred on 30 July at a service station in Hatton Vale along the Warrego Highway. Similar incidents were reported on:
- 16 August at a Plainland service station on Echidna Road,
- 8 September at a Gatton service station on Railway Street,
- 12 September at a Fernvale service station on Brisbane Valley Highway,
- 5 October at another Fernvale service station on Brisbane Valley Highway,
- 30 November at a Hatton Vale service station on Warrego Highway, and
- 28 December at a Plainland service station on Echidna Road.
The vehicle in question is described as a white Nissan Navara 4WD with a distinctive front grille. It is alleged the man utilised three different sets of number plates—Queensland registrations 498HI8, 101TWI, and 1AZI356—while altering the vehicle’s canopy and roof racks to evade detection.
The suspect is described as a man aged between 30 and 40, with tanned or olive skin and a bushy, greying beard.
Police are urging anyone with information that could assist in this investigation to come forward.
If you have relevant details, you can contact Policelink at any time via the online suspicious activity form at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting. Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or visiting www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
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