Since the fuel tax discount ended on June 30, police authorities in several federal states have reported new cases of fuel theft. More than 5,000 liters of diesel went missing in Versmold, Münster, and Saxony alone. Other perpetrators targeted parked trucks in Brandenburg. At the same time, the price of diesel rose by 26.8 cents per liter between the beginning and the end of July. High prices increase the value of the stolen fuel, yet there are currently no nationwide statistics covering the weeks since July.
Fuel theft affects gas stations, trucks, and construction sites
With the end of the tax relief measure, the price of diesel rose by an average of 10.4 cents between June 30 and July 1 alone. Prices continued to climb thereafter. The Federal Cartel Office recorded an average price of 2.097 euros per liter for July. Furthermore, the price of diesel increased by 26.8 cents over the course of the month.
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This meant that, in July, 1,000 liters of diesel had a theoretical value of nearly 2,100 euros at the pump. However, stealing such large quantities requires tanks, pumps, and suitable transport vehicles. Consequently, some recent incidents point to premeditated acts involving technical preparation. Nevertheless, a nationwide increase in fuel theft following the introduction of the fuel tax rebate cannot yet be statistically confirmed.
2,000 liters from a tampered pump
A case in Versmold-Peckeloh illustrates the level of professionalism shown by some perpetrators. A 34-year-old man allegedly tampered with a self-service fuel pump on August 2. He then filled two tanks with a combined total of around 2,000 liters of diesel. Witnesses noticed the lengthy refueling process and alerted the police; a judge subsequently ordered the suspect to be remanded in custody.
More than 2,000 liters also went missing in Saxony on July 22 and 23. Near Aue-Bad Schlema, perpetrators siphoned off approximately 1,000 liters from three road rollers. Additionally, unidentified individuals stole over 1,000 liters from a vehicle at a parking area along the A72 motorway near Niedercrinitz. Leaking fuel caused an estimated 20,000 euros in property damage in Aue-Bad Schlema.
New Incidents Follow Price Surge
Münster has also become part of this pattern. Between July 10 and 13, thieves stole around 1,000 liters of diesel from a construction site there. They opened the site fencing and siphoned fuel from several parked vehicles. They subsequently fled—likely in an Audi—while police continue to search for witnesses.
In early August, a truck parked along the A2 motorway in Brandenburg was also targeted. While the driver was taking a mandatory rest break, around 100 liters of diesel vanished from the tank of a generator unit. While these recent incidents do not yet prove a nationwide surge, they demonstrate that fuel theft can yield high-value hauls when prices exceed two euros per liter. Consequently, construction sites, rest areas, freight depots, and unguarded fueling stations remain particularly vulnerable.
Author: Blackout News
Sources: Polizei Brandenburg (04.08.26) – Polizei Gütersloh (04.08.26) – Polizei Nordrhein-Westfalen (30.07.26) – MDR (23.07.26)