Diesel fuel stolen from Washington County volunteer fire department

State police are investigating after someone stole diesel fuel from a volunteer fire department.

Video surveillance captures the thief pulling up to a diesel tank located outside of the South Franklin Volunteer Fire Dept. on two occasions.

In the first incident, around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, the four-door dually pickup truck is seen parking beside the tank and then leaving minutes later.  Around 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, the thief returns, but this time with a tank. The  thief steals fuel and takes off.

“It’s disappointing,” said  firefighter Dave Talpas, who also serves on the Board of Directors.

Talpas told Channel 11 that fire crews discovered the theft a couple of days later. They were returning from a fire call, and as they went to fuel up, they noticed the tank had been tampered with.

Talpas estimates the  thief took hundreds of gallons, possibly worth up to $1,000. He said the department may have to consider organizing a fundraiser to get back some of that money, “because it’s something you don’t plan for.”

The stolen gas could have been used for five different vehicles that the department keeps fueled up, as it serves the community.

Talpas said it makes him feel pretty bad.

“You don’t steal from a volunteer fire department. And a church. You just don’t do it.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the state police.


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