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11
Feb
Fuel thieves strike at Harrogate petrol stations
Three petrol stations in Harrogate were among a group of forecourts targeted by fuel thieves yesterday (February 10).
More than £1,000 worth of fuel was stolen from four locations within two hours, according to a North Yorkshire Police statement today.
The statement said £279 worth of diesel was taken without payment from Tesco Express on Starbeck High Street just after 8am.
Shortly afterwards, at 8.12am, diesel worth £282 was stolen from Sainsbury's on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.
Eight minutes later, £272 worth of diesel was taken without payment at the Esso petrol station on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.
The incidents are also being linked to a £275 theft of diesel at Sainsbury's petrol station in Huntington in York at 6.30am yesterday.
The police automatic number plate recognition hub identified a van using different number plates with the thefts
The statement added:
Once our ANPR hub pieced together the intelligence reports, we identified the suspect vehicle - an old Ford transit van - travelling towards the border of Lancashire.
A patrol team located the vehicle but the suspects ran off and abandoned the vehicle. We recovered the van and in it was at least £1,000 worth of stolen fuel.
One of the people believed to be involved is described as being a white man, 5ft 8in tall, with a stocky build, short hair, wearing a black cap, dark jeans, black trainers with a white sole, black t-shirt, and a burgundy jumper.
We are appealing for any witnesses to any of these incidents or who may have seen the men once they had abandoned the van.
Officers are urging anyone with information to call the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via its website. Quote reference 12250025123.
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