Fuel theft remains a persistent cost and security risk for hauliers operating across Europe. In this case, French gendarmes detained suspects accused of stealing diesel from an HGV. Investigators said the group relied on a purpose-built system fitted beneath their own vehicle, designed to drain fuel from other trucks quickly.
A pump concealed under the truck, triggered remotely
The incident took place on Thursday, 28 May 2026. In France, officers from PMO Villars-sous-Écot and DSIR EDCF25 stopped a truck whose crew had allegedly just stolen fuel from another HGV.
According to the Doubs department gendarmerie, the suspects used a pump installed underneath their truck and started it remotely using a radio-frequency controller. Authorities said the equipment was kept ready for use and enabled rapid fuel transfer, with the pump capable of drawing up to 100 litres of diesel per minute.
Before they were detained, the suspects reportedly managed to take 150 litres of fuel from another truck’s tank.
Read more: Fuel thieves are draining up to 600 litres from a single truck: “This is organised crime”
A driver noticed something wasn’t right
A professional driver played a key role in uncovering the alleged theft. After noticing unusual behaviour involving the truck, he called the emergency number and shared what he had seen. That report helped officers locate the vehicle and detain the people inside.
The French gendarmerie later thanked the driver for his vigilance, noting that such reports can be crucial in tackling crime targeting the haulage industry.
Fuel theft is becoming a bigger and more organised threat
The arrest in France reflects a wider issue affecting Europe’s road transport sector. Data from Transport en Logistiek Vlaanderen (TLV) shows that one in five transport companies reported an increase in fuel theft, and that in April 2026 alone thieves made off with more than 10,000 litres of diesel.
The problem has intensified as fuel prices have risen. Industry representatives point to geopolitical tensions and the resulting increases in diesel prices as factors that have made fuel a more attractive target. Increasingly, these are not opportunistic thefts but incidents carried out by organised groups using specialist equipment and established methods.
Similar cases have been recorded elsewhere in Europe. In March 2026, at the Grüner Winkel motorway parking area near Euskirchen in Germany, about 1,600 litres of diesel were stolen from two trucks while the drivers slept in their cabs. French hauliers also report losses no longer counted in hundreds, but in thousands of litres per year. Transports Quincé said it lost more than 13,800 litres of diesel in 2025, and that in January 2026 alone more than 5,200 litres worth €6,750 was stolen.
The impact extends beyond the value of the fuel itself. Transport companies can also face repair bills for damaged tanks, towing costs, downtime and delivery delays. Another complication is insurance: policies typically cover vehicle damage, but often do not reimburse the value of stolen diesel.
As industry representatives stress, fuel theft is increasingly linked to organised crime, adding costs for carriers and creating disruption across supply chains. The French case also highlights how methods are evolving: a pump capable of transferring up to 100 litres per minute suggests a planned operation supported by specialist equipment.
