PORT ANGELES — Police are looking for a man who was seen on a surveillance video cutting a fuel line on a Port Angeles Food Bank van and taking about $100 worth of fuel.
Port Angeles police received a call at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday from the food bank at 402 S. Valley St. reporting that a video showed a man taking fuel from a food bank van at about 9 p.m. Monday, said Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith.
Police are investigating the theft.
“The video is already circulating around,” Smith said.
The video shows the theft taking place, he added.
“Our goal is to put a name to the face,” he said.
He added that the car driven by the man, which appears to be a four-door Jetta, has a distinctive grille.
The video, time-marked at about 9 p.m. Monday, shows a scene just outside the food bank building in which a man who appears to be in his 30s with a goatee and widow’s peak hairline can be seen removing fuel from the van.
According to footage, the thief, wearing a gray Element shirt, cut the fuel line to the food bank delivery van and drained $100 worth of fuel.
The theft also ruined the fuel line at the juncture, and the van must be repaired, said Jessica Hernandez, executive director of the food bank.
“We are a nonprofit serving the community,” she said.
“A loss of this type as well as the vandalism to the fuel line is a big hit to us and our ability to serve those in need in our community.”
Donations to help replace the fuel and cover the cost of repairs can be sent to the Port Angeles Food Bank, P.O. Box 1885, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Anyone with information regarding the person on the video or the vehicle is asked to contact the Police Department at 360-452-4545.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
