CCTV footage shows a white Toyota Tamaraw and a pump attendant at a Petron gasoline station in Barangay Fairview, Quezon City, before the driver allegedly drove off without paying for ₱450 worth of diesel. (Photo courtesy of QCPD Station 5)
A delivery driver was arrested Thursday afternoon, July 30, after allegedly driving off without paying ₱450 worth of diesel at a gasoline station in Barangay Fairview, Quezon City.
The incident happened at around 2:05 p.m. at a Petron gasoline station at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Regalado Avenue.
According to the pump attendant, the suspect stopped to buy ₱450 worth of diesel.
CCTV footage showed the driver attempting to pay through an e-wallet but allegedly failed to scan the station's QR code.
He then told the attendant he would cash out money to settle the payment and parked his vehicle, but allegedly drove away while the attendant was serving other customers.
The attendant reported the incident to police at around 2:17 p.m., prompting the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) to launch a dragnet operation and flash the vehicle's plate number through the District Tactical Operations Center (DTOC).
At around 2:38 p.m., operatives of Police Station 16 spotted the white Toyota Tamaraw inside Jordan Plains Subdivision near Commonwealth Extension and followed it for about 3.26 kilometers before arresting the suspect, about 15 minutes after the incident.
Fairview Police Station chief Police Lt. Col. Albert Jefferson Relente said officers immediately coordinated with the DTOC, enabling patrol units to intercept the vehicle before it could get far.
The suspect denied intending to flee, claiming he had successfully cashed out money but forgot to return to the station because he was rushing to deliver vegetables to a nearby mall.
Police said the suspect also has previous cases involving illegal possession and use of false treasury and bank notes, violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, and resistance and disobedience to a person in authority.
The suspect later apologized for the incident and is now detained while facing an estafa complaint. He was placed under the custody of Police Station 5, while the vehicle was turned over for proper disposition.