A Sydney service station owner has been left frustrated after a truck driver allegedly filled up multiple tanks and drove off without paying, stealing close to $3,000 worth of fuel in a single incident.

The theft occurred at a petrol station in Cranebrook, near Penrith, where owner Anthony Pincevic says the driver spent around 10 minutes refuelling before leaving the site without settling the bill.

According to Pincevic, the driver moved between multiple fuel pumps, filling up the truck’s tanks before driving off with an estimated $2,800 to $3,000 worth of petrol. He also alleged the driver used on-site facilities to clean the vehicle before leaving.

Pincevic told 9News what angered him most was the apparent casual nature of the incident.

“People come here, and they think it’s a big branded site, so it doesn’t matter,” he said.

“But it’s actually a family-run business. You’re stealing from us.”

The owner said fuel theft has become more frequent, despite fluctuations in petrol prices, putting further pressure on already thin profit margins in the industry.

“We’re trying to keep prices fair, but the margins are super low,” he said.

Industry commentator Peter Khoury from the NRMA said fuel prices remain volatile, with wholesale movements continuing to impact retail costs.

“The only certainty right now is just how volatile things are,” he said, noting recent fluctuations in benchmark fuel prices.

Pincevic has reported the matter to the police, but says progress has been limited so far. In response, he is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the identification of the alleged offender.

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