Garage owner snaps drive-off suspect

Officers in Rotherham are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man they would like to speak to in connection to a “drive-off” incident that happened on Saturday, March 3 at the Petrol Station House on Pleasley Road, Whiston.

A police spokeswoman said: “A man driving a white Vauxhall Combo van with stolen registration plates, which had been taken from a vehicle in the Sheffield area the previous day, pulled into the garage at about 4.35pm and started to fill a number of canisters with diesel.

“The garage owner has said that he approached the man and when it became clear he had no intention of paying for the fuel, he confiscated the canisters.

“The man made threats and then drove away in the white van empty handed.”

The 57-year-old garage owner used his mobile phone to take a photo of the man during the incident and officers are appealing for anyone who knows this person to call 101 immediately and quote reference 835 of March 3.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.