Two suspected fuel thieves were caught after a report to police by a a member of the public.
North Yorkshire Police received a call on Thursday after a motorist spotted two men hastily filling up large plastic drums with fuel at a service station on the A19 near Thirsk,
The men left in their van without paying for the fuel.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “The member of public observed the direction of travel and quickly phoned 999.
“Police officers were already fuelled up and ready to go and immediately headed towards the area.
“The last lot of fuel was clearly not enough, as the suspects had pulled into a further petrol forecourt.
“Unfortunately for them police were around the corner and very quickly had their van boxed in.
“Officers found half a dozen containers of fuel inside the vehicle, some of which was leaking.”
The two men aged in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of theft.
The A19 fuel station later said that a van had made off without payment for £161.79 worth of fuel.
The men have since both been interviewed and charged.
The spokesperson added: “Police would like to thank the member of public that called us on 999 for their swift action.”
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