An Invercargill man has been arrested after allegedly stealing 855 litres of petrol from a local contractor.

The contractor’s yard was targeted four times between March 28 and April 5.

The first of four thefts involved the use of a stolen motor vehicle, in which 400 litres of fuel were loaded into jerry cans.

Today, officers executing a search warrant at the alleged offender’s address recovered 11 jerry cans able to hold 20 litres each that were used in the thefts.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Scott MacKenzie said police have been investigating a rise in fuel thefts.

“This quick arrest should be a warning to anyone that commits this type of offending: we’ll hold you to account,” he said.

“We’re happy to have nabbed this suspect quickly and been able to recover some of the stolen fuel.”

A 32-year-old man appeared in the Invercargill District Court today charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, theft over $1000, two counts of theft between $500 and $1000, theft under $500 and failure to carry out obligations in relation to a computer search.

“This follows the arrest of two men, two weeks ago, relating to a number of fuel thefts,” MacKenzie said.

“I want to reassure the community that we are committed to disrupting this type of crime and holding offenders to account.”

Police urged individuals and businesses with fuel on their properties to ensure it is secured.

Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour around businesses and vehicles is urged to call 111 if it’s happening now, or for non-urgent reports, contact 105, either by phone or online.