TANK WAGON DRIVER CHARGED: ALLEGED THEFT OF PETROL

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 August 1949, Page 10

TANK WAGON DRIVER CHARGED: ALLEGED THEFT OF PETROL

AUCKLAND, August 2.—An allegation that because of faults in the system of bulk petrol deliveries • a mptor driver had on 42 occasions in nine months stolen large quantities df petrol from the Atlantic Oil Company, was made by the prosecutor for the Crown (Mr H. B. Speight) in the Supreme Court today. He said the accused was being charged with only two thefts. The accused, John Crutchley, aged ; 24, pleaded not guilty to the theft of 445 gallons of petrol and alternatively to obtaining a cheque for £35 by false pretences. Messrs Leary and Hillyer appeared for the defence. Mi’ Speight said the company used five tank trucks. The trucks leaving the bulk depot were dipped by the man on duty at the gate, but when they returned a dip was not taken if the driver said there was no petrol remaining. There were plenty of petrol stations with empty underground tanks, and it was alleged that on his deliveries the accused misapplied petrol. It was assumed'that with petrol rationing there was a black market and dishonest petrol sellers. The prosecution suggested that accused made entries on forms after he had told the dipper that he had no “back haul.”

Accidental Discovery The thefts were discovered accidentally, Mr Speight continued, Two company officials at the depot one evening with time on their hands decided to fill tankers to save the time of the delivery men next day. One of these officials always looked into the compartments of tanker wagons. The accused next day did not know whether his vehicle had been dipped or not, or whether he should declare a back haul. None was declared with the result that he was 259 gallons short. The office staff noticed the shortage and wider investigations followed and the accused was dismissed.

Evidence would be given that the next day the accused went back to Clevedon Motors and said he had made a mistake in his delivery of 285 gallons of petrol. He said he had delivered only 85 gallons and to square the matter gave the proprietor coupons for 2QO gallons and paid him money for that amount. He also altered his meter. The accused denied having gone back to Clevedon Motors, but the Crown submitted that, having been dismissed from his employment, he was at that time desperately trying to cover up his tracks. The fingerprints of the accused were found on the inside of the glass meter cover of the pump he was alleged to have altered.

Normal Losses

G. H. Diamond, distribution officer for the Atlantic Union Oil Company, said losses normally occurred in the petrol business. Over the last two or three ye&rs the losses had risen from .18 per cent, to .78 per cent. During the last year the company had lost about 60,000 gallons. That was not normal. Every avenue possible was investigated without success to track down the excessive loss. Detective-Sergeant M. J. Ross said he interviewed the accused at his home on March 28. The accused was told his sales did not balance with the amounts he had taken delivery for. He denied having stolen any petrol from the company and said the only amount he had not accounted for was 85 gallons that had overflowed when he had been filling the pump at one of the service stations. The witness said he made an examination of the Atlantic Union Company’s petrol pumps at Clevedon Motors on April. It showed signs of having been interfered with. The hearing was adjourned.