Investigators say two men are behind bars and police are investigating after recovering 1,000 litres of stolen diesel fuel in an Ottawa neighbourhood.
Police say a tip led them to a Vanier street where they recovered the stolen fuel in the back of a rental U-Haul truck.
"We found four containers in the back, two of them about a third full of what looks like diesel or gas. The containers that they're in are not authorized containers, so it's a fire hazard at this point," Sgt. Steve Hodgins told CTV Ottawa.
Area resident Angela Dwire, who lives across the street from where the stolen fuel was found, says it's worrisome such activity is happening in her neighbourhood.
"I didn't expect this, it's kind of scary knowing that it's that close - that it's that dangerous," she said.
Police say they suspect the high cost of fuel and a hungry black market is fueling such thefts, which officers say are unusual in the Capital.
"It's the black market, it's a commodity that people are willing to pay less for than at the pumps, so sure there's going to be people out there who are willing to pay somebody for gas that's being stolen," said Hodgins.
Police say they suspect the men siphoned the diesel from gas stations in the Ottawa area and are asking the public to help them identify businesses that have been targeted.
"If they see any suspicious activity, especially in industrial zones, vans, anybody that looks like they're pumping gas where they shouldn't be to give us a call and we'll make sure we respond as soon as we can," said Hodgins.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ottawa police at 613-236-1222 ext. 5166 or Crime Stoppers at 613-233-TIPS.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Maggie Padlewska
