Customer absconds without paying

A motorist who drove away from a local filling station after failing to pay for petrol was chased down and apprehended by members of Acsu last Friday.

The motorist was stopped after he had passed through the toll gate on the N17 between Ermelo and Bethal and escorted back to the Total River filling station to explain his conduct.

It was initially thought that the motorist had driven away after a credit card transaction had been declined.

Video footage of the incident, however, revealed a more daring modus operandi.

In the footage, the motorist is seen pulling up to the pump and instructing the attendant to fill up.

He then goes into the convenience store and picks out a few refreshments. These are paid for with a credit card.

While waiting in the queue, he can be seen constantly glancing towards his vehicle.

He then calmly walks back to his vehicle and seeing the attendant busy elsewhere, gets in and drives away, leaving an amount of R700 showing for the petrol.

Acsu’s reaction unit was immediately alerted and they gave chase.

Back at the filling station, the motorist produces a credit card and pays the petrol bill totalling R700.

The transaction is passed by his bank and he is allowed to go.

The identity of the motorist, a resident of Witbank, cannot be revealed due to criminal charges not being laid.