Bremerhaven Police Investigate Linked Fuel Thefts, Water Pollution
The police in Bremerhaven are investigating two similar cases of fuel theft and water pollution. In both incidents, the victims' vehicles were tampered with, leading to fuel loss and environmental damage. The police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
On Friday, September 27th, a 72-year-old driver in Bremerhaven-Leherheide discovered her car had run out of fuel near Debstedter Weg around 2:30 AM. Upon inspection, she found the fuel cap was open and gasoline had been stolen. The vehicle was no longer roadworthy, and a hole was discovered in the fuel tank, causing gasoline to leak into a storm drain.
Over the weekend, a similar case was reported in Bremerhaven-Geestemünde. Unknown perpetrators drilled a hole in a parked vehicle's tank, letting the fuel out. The police are treating these cases as connected.
The driver in Leherheide noticed an unusual fuel smell in her car at 1:45 AM, which may have been a clue to the impending theft.
The police are accepting witness statements for both cases at 0471/953-4444. They are investigating the fuel theft and negligent water pollution. A 28-year-old man, known to the police for previous thefts, has been taken into custody in connection with these incidents. He was caught with a stolen high-value pedelec and other stolen goods, including items from the car of the pedelec owner's wife.
