Oil well that ends well - vigilant member of the public leads Police to arresting two people

Oil well that ends well - vigilant member of the public leads police to arresting two people. 

Shortly after 4pm yesterday (11 November 2021) at a service station on the A19 near Thirsk, a member of the public spotted two men hastily filling up large plastic drums with fuel. The men were unfortunately not as quick to pay for the fuel as they left the forecourt in their van.

The member of public observed the direction of travel and quickly phoned 999. Police officers were already fuelled up and ready to go and immediately headed towards the area. The last lot of fuel was clearly not enough, as the suspects had pulled into a further petrol forecourt. Unfortunately for them police were around the corner and very quickly had their van boxed in. Officers found half a dozen containers of fuel inside the vehicle, some of which was leaking. The two men aged in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of theft.

The fuel station from Thirsk contacted us to say that a van had made off without payment for £161.79 worth of fuel. The men have since both been interviewed and charged.

Police would like to thank the member of public that called us on 999 for their swift action.