Fuel Tank Forcibly Opened & Drained at Melbourne South-East Railway Station - Please Help

Empharand on 28/12/2022 - 22:34
Last edited 29/12/2022 - 23:17 by 1 other user

Hi everyone,

Tonight my car was targeted and my fuel tank was drained at a south-east Melbourne railway station.
This occurred between the hours of 4:30pm - 9:30pm tonight (Wednesday 28/12/2022).
The offender appears to have pried opened my fuel flap and proceeded to open my fuel cap and drain the fuel.

The station is new and does have quite a number of cameras. I tried to seek the assistance of a PSO (Protective Services Officers) to see if they could review the cameras but there were no PSO's available - I was under the impression that PSO's were to be available while public transport is still in operation (eg. until the last train and/or bus departs/arrives at approx 12am-1am)

The offender took off with approx 45-50 litres - I had filled my tank only days prior (Yay me!)

I have called the non-emergency police line and have a case number.

Is there anything my Full Comprehensive Car Insurance can do in this situation or is it just a matter of taking it as a (profanity) life experience and move on?
I have never had this happen so your feedback is most welcome (and appreciated)

The funny part is it's my birthday today, and I had dropped my phone (screen now no longer works) so this is the icing on the cake for me (Yay me!)

Automotive Fuel

Comments

  • djsweet on 28/12/2022 - 22:36
    +126

    Happy birthday!

  • pegaxs on 28/12/2022 - 22:46
    +36

    Can’t steal the electrons out of my EV…

    Anyway… shit happens, move on. Refill your tank and don’t lose any sleep over it.

    Also, lol @ claiming on your comprehensive insurance. You want to spend $600+ on excess and ruin your NCR for 45 litres of fuel and possibly a $45 fuel cap?

    Also, even if you got the footage of the a-hole, it would be inconclusive and like trying to find a needle in a hay stack

    Police will also not GAF about your 45 litres of missing fuel.

    • netjock on 29/12/2022 - 00:04
      +84

      Can’t steal the electrons out of my EV…

      EV maker already took the money up front.

      • SitarBoy on 31/12/2022 - 17:35
        +1

        When comparable ICE cars are starting to cost the same as an EV, i dont think so.

        • netjock on 01/01/2023 - 12:02
          -1

          When

          Well that is the answer: when? Maybe 10 years?

          Also user case.

          If you are dirt poor and you can only afford a Kia Piccanto (or similar for $20k) and you need it to work there is no way you are going to walk until you save up enough for a $50k BEV. Neither are you going to take out a car loan, the loan will negate any savings you might have. Neither are you going to pay another $3k (Vic with incentives) for solar so you can sit around from 8am to 8pm so you can charge 40kwh for "free"

          The only way it worked for Teslas is if you compare it to a "BMW 3 series" or price / performance (if you like racing from red light to red lights and if you always floor the accelerator to save maybe 2s to 60kmph and if you are Gordon Gecko and time is money).

          There is a spreadsheet floating around from Western Australian Tesla club. Only way they could make it stack up is high resale value (unlikely to be forever) and they over baked the cost of financing, fuel and maintenance.

          • SitarBoy on 01/01/2023 - 13:19

            @netjock: An average Aussie spends about 40k on a new car. There are new EVs coming out around that price range (MG ZS EV & BYD). I do still agree that there are not many options available that are affordable for everyone. A 20k budget cannot get any decent EV in our market at all.

            But if you do compare current EVs to their supposed competitors, they do work out to be rougly the same price if not cheaper. We recently were looking at a Audi Q5, Tesla Model Y, Mercedes GLC, BMW X3 and so on. All of the non EVs were missing significant features that the Tesla had as standard. The difference in price between these models was huge. 78k vs 100 - 110k?

            Now there is a definitive difference in the quality between German manufacturers and Tesla, and that can justify the difference in price. However, after looking at all of those cars I can say for sure the Tesla provides better value and bang for buck. Unless youre someone who needs an ICE and wants the luxury of German manufacturers, Teslas still pose a great value to consumers.

            • netjock on 01/01/2023 - 15:57

              @SitarBoy:

              An average Aussie spends about 40k on a new car

              If you believe Tesla club of Western Australia the average is $53k.

              But if you do compare current EVs to their supposed competitors, they do work out to be rougly the same price if not cheaper. We recently were looking at a Audi Q5, Tesla Model Y, Mercedes GLC, BMW X3 and so on. All of the non EVs were missing significant features that the Tesla had as standard.

              You can pretty much define the competition as whatever you like. That is the point. You can even call it an investment based on Elon's promise that it will be a robotaxi and make you $600k while you sit at home. Then you call it a significant missing feature in a Bentley comparison. Basically the luxury car market would have caved in based on your example.

            • [Deactivated] on 01/01/2023 - 16:01

              @SitarBoy: The ICE MG equivalent is half the price of the EV. We are a long way from not only comparable, but otherwise identical, cars costing the same.

    • AdosHouse on 29/12/2022 - 01:35
      +7

      Can't steal the electrons? I can convert them to heat pretty quickly with one well placed spanner.

      One time I dropped a socket wrench I was using and it landed across the negative terminal and was very very close to the positive terminal. Thank F that 12v doesn't jump well.

      • MrFrugalSpend on 29/12/2022 - 09:28
        +1

        One time I dropped a socket wrench I was using and it landed across the negative terminal and was very very close to the positive terminal. Thank F that 12v doesn't jump well.

        Hardly newsworthy - I've done the whole accidental welding of the spanner to the battery thing, managed to knock it off before it stuffed the battery but still something I don't want to repeat

        • AdosHouse on 29/12/2022 - 16:43
          +4

          The battery was spared, but were the undies?

      • md333 on 29/12/2022 - 12:42
        +9

        Strangely they don't design EVs with exposed HV connections a convenient spanner length apart.
        There are a few that you can extract electrons via the DC charge point (V2L) but I think it requires the car to be unlocked and turned on so a bit harder than stealing hydrocarbons.

      • AustriaBargain on 31/12/2022 - 14:04

        Don't Tesla now add armour or something under their cars to protect the batteries, after some early fires?

    • Ridiculous Panda on 29/12/2022 - 19:46
      +5

      They can pry your bonnet open and use your car to charge their phone and vape. Good luck getting home.

      • illusion99 on 30/12/2022 - 07:04
        +1

        The battery is usually under the seats not in the bonnet for EV cars so prying the bonnet open does nothing

    • doubleplatinum on 29/12/2022 - 21:23
      -3

      🤣🤣no they will just hack into your car and open it.

    • illusion99 on 30/12/2022 - 07:05
      +1

      So what you are saying is that petty crime is not really illegal as you will have to be very unlucky for the cops to bother trying to find you.

      • D6C1 on 30/12/2022 - 07:25
        +4

        99% of the time that is true. It's appalling the amount of petty crime impacting others that people get away with. It's ridiculous and those crims know it and keep reoffending

      • nigel deborah on 30/12/2022 - 07:53
        +3

        The cops won't waste their time unless there's conclusive evidence or the crim is detained immediately. But that's likely to happen eventually as most these petty criminals are repeat offenders and not the brightest.

      • Seraphin7 on 30/12/2022 - 09:32
        +18

        Police don't give a rats about petty crime. Takes precious resources away from issuing traffic infringements.

      • lonewolf on 30/12/2022 - 17:32
        +10

        My house got robbed, close to 20k of stuff taken. Cops came and took a look to file a report as did insurance. We all figured out who did it , detective was meant to contact me . Never did, I tried contacting them back and the cops multiple times, no response back. Gave up after a few months. They werent interested unless i have a fine to pay then i am sure they would have responded.

    • cupnooodle on 31/12/2022 - 15:20

      Sounds like if you were going to steal anything… stealing fuel would be the way to go

    • [Deactivated] on 01/01/2023 - 07:34

      Technically you could break in and charge your phone, but it would take too long to be viable. Considering the price of batteries though, I am going to assume that people will start stealing them instead.

  • Unorthodox on 28/12/2022 - 22:59
    +2

    New station, is it one that is staffed during normal hours? Might be worth letting Metro know in case others had the same thing happen.

    Unlikely that it was worth only targeting one vehicle but given the amount of time, it is likely cctv may have caught them in the act.

    • dcep on 28/12/2022 - 23:09
      +4

      it is likely cctv may have caught them in the act.

      it is likely the perpetrator would have wore a mask/cap/helmet and exited the scene without a number plate.

      • Unorthodox on 29/12/2022 - 00:00
        +1

        Depends on how many layers of prep - carrying items and bucket(s) would probably require having a vehicle nearby.

        Obviously stolen plates, vehicle or covered plates etc but the more info and opportunities to slip up the better.

        That said, I don't think police would put much effort into this, from what I've heard they rarely even bother going after servo runners.

        • OZKap on 29/12/2022 - 22:42

          2x 20L jerry cans aren't hard to carry out of CCTV range, all other tools would fit into a backpack.

          • randomusername2017 on 30/12/2022 - 08:40
            +2

            @OZKap: Don't give away too many trade secrets ..might put the servos out of business..😂

        • aussie bargain on 31/12/2022 - 07:25

          It needs to be reported so that the police can do their job.

          In terms of servo runners, the police actually processes the case when a report is submitted by the servo operator. The runner will then receive a friendly knock on the door to do a please explain.

  • randomusername2017 on 28/12/2022 - 23:10
    +11

    Lucky it wasn't parked in punchbowl…

    • TilacVIP on 29/12/2022 - 07:43
      +12

      Yeah, otherwise the oil would have been drained as well.

      • randomusername2017 on 29/12/2022 - 07:50
        +1

        Petrol fumes and cars are a winning combination out on BBQ row…

      • Matt P on 31/12/2022 - 11:12

        And cat converter/dpf stolen

  • Ghost47 on 28/12/2022 - 23:10
    +2

    That sucks.. I can only imagine you’re looking like your profile photo right now.

    Out of curiosity which station was this OP?

    • Breno785au on 30/12/2022 - 08:17
      +6

      I'm guessing… Hallam!

      • Empharand on 02/01/2023 - 23:42

        Bingo… Hallam Station. First time I have parked at Hallam station (Second time parking at any station ever) and yeah it likely be my last haha.

  • JimmyF on 28/12/2022 - 23:17
    +9

    Is there anything my Full Comprehensive Car Insurance can do in this situation or is it just a matter of taking it as a (profanity) life experience and move on?

    Move on…. Insurance will see this as an at fault claim, so need to pay excess etc. The cost of repairs would be cheaper than this.

    Chances of the video showing anything 'useful' will be next to zero.

    File a police report for stat reporting, chase up the video footage, but I doubt they'll do much for you.

  • Stopback on 28/12/2022 - 23:17
    +9

    The real bargain is the catalytic conveter

    • Muzeeb on 28/12/2022 - 23:32
      +8

      Op can't start car to realise it's even missing.

  • Euphemistic on 28/12/2022 - 23:17
    +3

    Report to police.
    Repair fuel flap
    Refill with fuel.
    Move on - maybe try to keep the tank nearer empty when parking at the station again.

    • donga100 on 28/12/2022 - 23:44
      +20

      Nobody has to steal fuel.

      • franco cozzo on 29/12/2022 - 09:40
        +7

        tell that to madmax

        • Mad Max on 29/12/2022 - 09:58
          +18

          I don't steal fuel!
          Although it is becoming so expensive now so it looks like it is becoming a easy target for some people.

          • Poor Ass on 30/12/2022 - 10:13
            +3

            @Mad Max: I thought there were no rules in the Wasteland

            • Mad Max on 30/12/2022 - 23:43

              @Poor Ass: Well Australia is becoming a bit of a Wasteland lately with all the bullshit dished out by all governments at all levels in the last couple of years.
              I have not needed to drive the Interceptor yet and to fill it up with stolen fuel. I am getting ready though…

              • Poor Ass on 31/12/2022 - 13:52
                +1

                @Mad Max: Don't forget to stock up on cans of dog food

  • Dorge on 28/12/2022 - 23:54

    You got off lucky they didnt add anything to the fuel tank. Report it move on. I wouldnt mind a secure paid section in a train carpark so i could upgrade my car

    • netjock on 29/12/2022 - 00:11
      +3

      If they are desperate enough to steal fuel I don't think they'd afford to be able to drop some extra into the tank.

  • netjock on 29/12/2022 - 00:13
    +2

    Hope the cops catch them.

    For you. Get it fixed and move on unless for some reason it costs more than your excess and increased premium next year.

    I had plates stolen once and they used it to steal fuel at a petrol station. It is actually a quicker job and way less work if they can find a similar car.

  • Ocker on 29/12/2022 - 07:16
    +3

    Just count your blessings - you still have the car !

    • WhyAmICommenting on 29/12/2022 - 19:59

      I guess vegans, gender whatevers, cyclists and climate change activists don’t appreciate sarcasm.

      • franco cozzo on 30/12/2022 - 05:53
        -1

        …theyre tough crowds to please!! lol!

      • Shoocat on 01/01/2023 - 17:51
        +1

        Or maybe they do appreciate sarcasm/comedy and not tired, divisive and unfunny tropes that reduce people to tribal stereotypes.

        And no, I am not vegan etc etc.

    • Randolph Duke on 30/12/2022 - 07:07
      +2

      Rent free.

      • franco cozzo on 30/12/2022 - 10:05
        +4

        that sounds very affordable in the current market…can my immuno-compromised non-binary vegan cat also reside within the premises?

      • CrowReally on 30/12/2022 - 18:50
        +5

        "what an excellent opportunity to make fun of gender identity and vegans" - franco looking at literally anything

        • Ghost47 on 30/12/2022 - 23:35

          🤣

  • doctordv8 on 29/12/2022 - 08:07
    +4

    "Is there anything my Full Comprehensive Car Insurance can do in this situation"….when and AFTER you ask them, please come back and tell us here.

  • highon2str on 29/12/2022 - 09:30
    +1

    Sorry to hear about your fuel, what type of car was it? Some cars have anti-siphon filler necks, easier to drill a hole in the fuel tank and collect the fuel. Lucky this didn't happen to you!

  • MrFrugalSpend on 29/12/2022 - 09:33
    +4

    As this is OzBargain, I presume the help you are seeking is cheapest place to find replacement fuel….
    Here are some resources:
    https://petrolspy.com.au/map/latlng/-37.814427163231656/144.…
    https://www.racv.com.au/on-the-road/driving-maintenance/fuel… - download Arevo

    Other than that, you're stuffed. Nothing worth pursuing.

  • elgrande on 29/12/2022 - 10:28
    +6

    Obviously a troll post - OP actually has insurance..

    • WhyAmICommenting on 29/12/2022 - 23:53
      +1

      And, it’s not a new account!

    • Empharand on 02/01/2023 - 23:51

      Hahaha this made me laugh. For the record, not a troll post (I know you were joking but just saying)
      I'd love to know the ratio of those that have full comprehensive, CTP etc vs those that don't have any insurance and/or refuse to get it - On OzBargain obviously

  • Loopholio on 29/12/2022 - 10:51
    +3

    It's likely the thief wore a face mask and hoddie. Cameras are placed high up so at that angle dick all is seen.

    There are cameras on streets but who is going to collect all that data? Even if the thief is tracked down and charged they wouldn't have the money to pay a fine or for the stolen fuel. Jail? Unlikely and if the thief is underaged nothing will happen to them.

    It's best to look on the bright side of life. Your car wasn't set on fire.. So there's that =/

  • Boioioioi on 29/12/2022 - 10:56
    +1

    Mate move on. Don't victimize yourself. Shit happens. The longer you feel bad about all these unfortunate but not end of the world situations, all you gain is bad feeling. The sooner you move on, the more beneficial to yourself

  • Nucleus Acumbens on 29/12/2022 - 14:06
    +2

    Happy Birthday! All the bad stuff is probably over and you've only got good things to look forward to this year! I'll cross my fingers for you.

    As for your phone, one of two things, if it is nominated on your contents insurance of your house, it might be covered. Other than that, was it an Apple? My son washed his iPhone 11 in the washing machine about 18 months after he bought it. Screen was shattered but son was hoping for a miracle that rest of phone could be saved. He had his receipt. Told Apple the truth and they replaced his phone for free with a 13, screen protector and hard industrial case.

    Might be worth a shot? Apparently it's the lengths they go to to keep Apple products in the hands of their customers. This was just in November, 2022 and he had to go into an Apple Store.

    As for your other predicament. If the rat dog bastard thief caused any damage to your car, this will be covered under your insurance. They may give you some replacement petrol as good will, but it's unlikely.

    Hard for you to prove how much petrol was in there and thus give an amount that was actually stolen.

    If I fill up every third Saturday, I go through a tank and a half on the next day. The remaining 1:2 tank lasts me 2 1/2 weeks.

    I hope that the year 2023 is better for you than 2022

  • Nucleus Acumbens on 29/12/2022 - 14:09

    BTW, how can I choose little bits of text to respond to and have it appear with that orange bar beside it above the body of my response to that section?

    Ie, I think I'm asking how I quote a passage to respond to

  • Nucleus Acumbens on 29/12/2022 - 18:25
    +6

    I'm practising quoting

    Nucleus Acumbens on 29/12/2022 - 18:25 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • RSmith on 29/12/2022 - 18:45
      +2

      Do you work for real estate?

  • magpuy on 29/12/2022 - 18:31
    +1

    Read your PDS. You may find that fuels and oils are excluded items.

  • Mysterious on 29/12/2022 - 21:22

    Is there anything my Full Comprehensive Car Insurance can do in this situation or is it just a matter of taking it as a (profanity) life experience and move on?

    Made me laugh a little. It's $75, a very minor inconvenience, think you got off lucky considering even a scratch costs $100s to fix.

    Happy b'day though OP

  • UncleDimmy on 30/12/2022 - 01:02
    +2

    Buy a lockable fuel cap. Great investment which will stop the thieves and give you some piece of mind.

    https://autobarn.com.au/ab/Autobarn-Category/Spare-Parts/Fue…

    • Antikythera on 30/12/2022 - 11:15
      +1

      years ago i had someone siphon my first car in my driveway. i would not have noticed and they could have made it a regular thing except they threw away the petrol cap. I replaced it with a locking one and when i took the car to the wrecker i swapped the cap to the new car.

      years later someone tried to siphon my car in the driveway and was bitterly disappointed (I assume) to find the lockable cap.

  • Daemos on 30/12/2022 - 07:57
    +2

    Which station did this happen at?

    Refill and move on.

  • Walleee-y on 30/12/2022 - 08:27

    Get the choppa ready…

  • Dreamcast on 30/12/2022 - 08:32
    +1

    Buy a cheap car and park it at the station. Remove the fuel and then fill it up with a mix of petrol and water. Heck, wait for a bargain on soy sauce and throw some in.

    Scum bag/s fills up their car and hopefully it causes some serious damage.

  • Worf on 30/12/2022 - 09:52
    +1

    Did they cause much damage to the flap and/or panel of the car?

  • mccarthyp64 on 30/12/2022 - 10:35

    When a car owner comes up to me with a shocked look on his face. Of course I'm siphoning fuel from the tank, now leave me alone.

  • Zoop on 30/12/2022 - 11:33
    +2

    Sorry you're going through this OP.
    Comprehensive insurance should be able to cover you for the panel damage. Not sure about petrol, but its arguably a theft situation - not sure if the T&C of the insurance has provisions against petrol though.
    There is almost certainly going to be panel damage from prising the fuel flap open. I'd imagine it would cost more than the excess to have that repaired, so its likely you'll be better off going through insurance anyway.
    Please log it with the police in any case, they might be able to find the perpetrator(s) and maybe insurance can deem them liable for your excess, since they would be a 3rd party ?

    • Empharand on 02/01/2023 - 23:57

      Thanks Zoop :)
      Logged with Police, they dropped off a Police Report the following day (29th) but I haven't heard from them since, I'm surprised they didn't do anything (Inspection wise) while dropping off the Police Report they just dropped it off and went on their way…. I doubt anything will arise but I guess we will see.

      As for the damage, surprising there was no damage (From what I can see) - It appears they shoved a screwdriver between the car and the flap and somehow got it open, whether my car has a weak flap locking mechanism or something I don't know… seems like they knew what they were doing. I'm surprised they targeted my car as it's a 2001 sedan that's not exactly known to be a 'Wealthy person' car

  • mousie on 30/12/2022 - 12:21

    This is what we call the great train fuel robbery 2022.

  • umyeahokay on 30/12/2022 - 15:00
    +1

    I don't understand why you think your car was 'targeted'.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 30/12/2022 - 15:15
    -3

    But did you die?

    Just be thankful they didn't take your entire vehicle.

  • smartazz104 on 30/12/2022 - 15:32

    You'd think it would be easier to just fill up at a petrol station and run off.

    • CrowReally on 30/12/2022 - 18:52
      +2

      Rookie mistake, you need to drive away at the end.

  • herecomestheoost on 30/12/2022 - 16:14
    -1

    :D

    herecomestheoost on 30/12/2022 - 16:14 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
  • gstfree on 30/12/2022 - 20:15
    +1

    This happened to me about 10 years ago while I was travelling in China. Can't believe the same thing happens in Melbourne.
    If I were you, I would report to police and PTV. The offender would be caught if they keep doing this. PSO would patrol the car park more often.

  • RolandWaites on 30/12/2022 - 22:54
    -3

    Take solace in the chance that whoever did it could only have been doing it from a place of desperation. Seems like a lot of work for $45 worth of petrol.

    • Logical on 30/12/2022 - 23:27
      +3

      petrol is around $2 per litre, so close to $100

    • pistachio on 31/12/2022 - 16:55

      exactly what I thought
      so petty!

    • Empharand on 02/01/2023 - 23:58

      $45? Where are you getting petrol for $1 a litre? Please share with the rest of the class.
      As for the desperation part, I can almost guarantee the perpetrator is likely doing it to fuel (No pun intended) some sort of habit, whether that be drugs, alcohol or cigarettes.

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