Signs and extra lighting can act as deterrents
Olds RCMP is reminding farmers and rural property owners to protect their fuel supplies during this harvest season.
“During busy periods such as planting and harvest, equipment and fuel may be left unattended in fields or other remote locations. These areas can be more difficult to monitor and may present additional opportunities for theft,” police said in a press release.
The RCMP provided a list of steps producers and rural property owners can take to deter potential thieves.
Increased lightning and signage, as well as regularly checking fuel levels and using fuel cap locks can help, police say.
A Saskatchewan company, Calian Agriculture, provides a digital fuel lock system for bulk tanks.
Its Fuel Lock system uses a 4-digit pin system, automatic locking, and other monitoring features to help prevent unwanted access or theft.
The warning from the Olds RCMP comes after a fuel theft in Mountain View County on September 23,
“A significant amount of diesel was stolen from the Westview Coop Cardlock,” the RCMP said in an Oct. 6 alert about the crime. “The truck is described as a triple axle tanker truck with a two-tone red and white semi chassis (red hood and doors with white fenders) and a white tank.”
Perpetrators could face multiple charges if caught stealing fuel from a farm.
These include theft, breaking and entering, mischief, possession of property obtained by crime, and trespassing at night.
Farmers in other parts of the Prairies are seeing crime too.
On Agriville.com, a user from Saskatchewan highlighted recent criminal activity like stolen vehicles and theft from work trucks.