Oi coppa! I got a question for you

[Scuba_Steve]

A big difference should be the intent, these people clearly had no intent of paying. It's not like the petrol wasn't upto their standard so they had a dispute about the price, they just straight up had no intention of paying I call that theft.
after all where do you draw the line? someone walks into harvey normans for a laptop, staff member grabs 1 for them, they don't like the price & take off with it, should that too be a civil dispute???

[SMOKEU]

HOWEVER, when you drive off you have now clearly created a dispute over the PAYMENT. Which would make it a civil matter. And even if the person did it with intent, I think it would be fraud, not theft. This is the definition of fraud:

Then why did I keep hearing comms issue a 10-1 over the channel 1 police radio whenever someone did a fuel drive off?

[onearmedbandit]

So is using the phone and internet, then not paying your bill a situation for the police to be called in for? Surely it's theft isn't it? I mean you 'filled up your tank' and then didn't pay for it. No, the police don't get involved, it's a civil matter. It's the same (to the best of my knowledge) as drive-offs from petrol stations. You may get followed up by the police (it is a good reason after all to pull someone over, they may have other stolen goods with them or be wanted on other matters) but you won't be charged with theft as such. The service station will take action through debt collectors. Same as your phone/internet provider.

[Hoon]

I did a drive off the other day. Walked inside and prepaid my money then went back to my car and drove off without taking any gas DOH!!!

[onearmedbandit]

I did a drive off the other day. Walked inside and prepaid my money then went back to my car and drove off without taking any gas DOH!!!

If this was America you could probably sue them for failing to ensure your received your product, and win with damages awarded for the stress caused by running out of fuel.

[caspernz]

I did a drive off the other day. Walked inside and prepaid my money then went back to my car and drove off without taking any gas DOH!!!

OK, not sure what's worse...doing this or admitting it??

EFTPOS at the pump solves the problem I would think, driveoffs go away, cops can keep eating donuts, but the Govt still thieving in the tax take...