Police arrests ingenious fuel thieves

31 October 2015

In the ‘Dessence’ case, the Federal Judicial Police of East Flanders conducted an investigation into a well-organised gang that stole fuel all around Belgium. The gang used a specific modus operandi: by manipulating the working of the counter (the internal functioning of petrol pumps), large quantities of diesel could be stolen, mainly in Q8 petrol stations. The gang was very professional: they rented light lorries in which they placed synthetic containers. In the petrol station, they turned away the surveillance cameras or cut through the supply cables (electricity cables). The gang, the members of which had Norwegian and Kosovar nationality, managed to steal in this way a total of 86,993.37 liters of diesel with a total value of EUR 115,986.81. The suspects were arrested. It is worth noting that the case was investigated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Halle-Vilvoorde and a Brussels examining magistrate. A model of excellent cooperation!