A 20-year-old man, a member of the Traveller community, was arrested by the Perpignan police for stealing the fire brigade’s fuel card and stealing 4,000 euros’ worth of petrol.
Following a call from a security guard who had scared off two thieves on Tuesday 1 August, police officers went to a construction firm in the Saint-Charles market area. The suspects had left their vehicle at the scene; its number plates had been altered using adhesive tape to evade CCTV surveillance.
Thanks to this physical evidence, the investigators were able to identify the owner of the vehicle, who was already known to the police. Inside the car, they found a mobile phone and a fuel card belonging to the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS 66).
The man taken into police custody
It transpired that the fuel card had been stolen on Saturday 29 July from a forest fire tanker parked outside the Argelès-sur-Mer fire station. According to initial estimates, the loss amounts to nearly 4,000 euros.
According to Perpignan News, the owner of a petrol station is said to have spotted the young man making several trips back and forth to fill jerry cans with petrol. He was accompanied by several accomplices at the time.
The suspect, who was taken into police custody, did not admit to the offences. He has been released but will have to appear before the Perpignan Judicial Court in the near future to answer for his actions.
This theft of fuel represents a significant loss for the region’s fire service, which is already under considerable strain due to the forest fires during this summer period. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety for emergency response vehicles.