Representative image of a petroleum tanker.
Credit: iStock Photo
Mangaluru: A driver allegedly stole 40 litres of petrol from a tanker belonging to Adinatheshwara RoadLines and fled the scene after being confronted by the vehicle owner.
According to the complaint filed by proprietor Sujith Alva, a tanker was sent from MRPL on November 13 to deliver petrol to the Seethangoli depot in Kasaragod. The vehicle was driven by Likhith K, who was known to the complainant.
When the tanker failed to reach the depot the following day, Alva began searching for it. Around 3 pm, he located the vehicle parked at the Kana parking yard.
On inspection, he reportedly saw the driver siphoning petrol from the tanker by inserting a plastic pipe into the fuel compartment and collecting it in cans placed beneath the lorry.
The complainant stated that as he approached and stopped his car, the accused driver jumped down from the tanker and fled from the spot along with another unidentified person.
The accused allegedly stole around 40 litres of petrol, stored in two 20-litre plastic cans. Surathkal Police have registered a case based on the complaint and initiated further investigation.