The hunt for a fuel theft duo ended abruptly on Thursday when officers arrested a 32-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman in connection with a series of brazen thefts targeting garages in Hampshire, Surrey, and West Sussex. Police say the couple allegedly siphoned diesel and petrol from vehicles overnight, leaving owners with thousands in losses.

Investigators believe the thefts began in late August, escalating to three incidents in two weeks before locals took action. CCTV footage from a garage in Farnham showed a dark Vauxhall Corsa parked outside at 2 a.m. on September 12, its fuel cap open and a hose running from the vehicle to a portable container. The car matched a description circulated by Hampshire Police after a theft two days prior.

The breakthrough came when a Farnham garage owner posted a plea on a local Facebook group, sharing surveillance images and urging residents to be vigilant. Within 24 hours, multiple sightings flooded in, including one from a resident who spotted the Corsa near a lay-by in Surrey. Officers intercepted the vehicle the same night while it was parked outside a 24-hour McDonald’s in Woking.

Detective Inspector Mark Carter of Hampshire Police confirmed the arrests, stating the couple had no prior convictions but were known to local officers for minor offenses. "This case highlights the power of community vigilance," Carter said. "Without the public’s help, these thefts might have continued unchecked."

The stolen fuel, valued at £12,000, has not been recovered. The couple remains in custody and is expected to appear in Woking Magistrates’ Court on Friday. Prosecutors are considering charges under the Theft Act 1968, with potential penalties including prison time if convicted.

Police are urging other garages in the region to review their security measures, as thefts often occur between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. when staffing is minimal. The case has reignited calls for stricter penalties for fuel theft, which costs the UK economy an estimated £25 million annually.