A diesel pump is seen at a gas station in this file photo. The Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov
Strathcona County RCMP are investigating the theft of 5,000 litres of diesel and premium fuel from a gas station in Uncas, Alberta, east of Edmonton.
Police say the theft occurred at a Tempo Gas station on Wye Road, where suspects allegedly ripped off vents and disconnected a hose attached to the station’s fuel storage system, allowing the fuel to be accessed.
Investigators believe the incident took place between midnight and 4:30 a.m. on May 1. Staff initially suspected a malfunctioning fuel sensor, but after discovering the damaged vents and hose, they contacted police at about 10:45 a.m., according to a statement provided to The Epoch Times by the Alberta RCMP.
When officers arrived, they also found evidence of a fuel spill extending into a nearby treeline. Police said a provincial environmental agency is now assessing any potential environmental impact resulting from the spill.
Authorities have not released an estimated dollar value for the stolen fuel. No arrests have been made and no charges have been laid as the investigation continues. Police are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact RCMP or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Tempo Fuel is a Canadian independent gas station brand operating mainly in Western Canada, with locations typically owned by local dealers. Established in 1960, it is part of a broader network of independently operated fuel and convenience stations.
Uncas is a small rural community in Strathcona County, east of Sherwood Park. The area is part of a lightly developed agricultural and lake district near Antler Lake and Half Moon Lake, where hamlets and residential subdivisions are interspersed with farmland, wooded areas, and rural roads.
