Crime & Safety

Alleged Gasoline Thief Arrested

Police say a Smithtown man stole fuel from 16 stations in Suffolk County.

Suffolk County police arrested a Smithtown man Tuesday after he allegedly stole gasoline from 16 stations throughout Suffolk County.

Walter Amerbach, 21, was taken into custody and charged with 11 counts of petty larceny after a four-month stint of fueling and fleeing.

Police said that Amerbach would pull up to a gas station pump in a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee and ask the attendant to fill the tank. Once full, he would drive off without paying.

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After a gasoline theft on Feb. 26 at the Wave Gas Station in St. James, Fourth Precinct Crime Section put out a notification with the description and plate number of the vehicle.

A Third Precinct sector car located the vehicle at approximately 5:15 p.m. at the Planet Fitness gym in Bay Shore, where Amerbach was arrested and charged.

Find out what's happening in Smithtownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He will be arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Central Islip.


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