Residents of Hill View, in a section of Westmoreland, are being targeted by petrol stealing crooks who they say have ventured into their community on at least four occasions in the last two weeks, stealing gas from a number of motor vehicles.

Last week, one caller to THE STAR claimed to be a victim and that he knew at least a dozen other persons from the community, whose cars were drained by the thieves who seemingly carried out their acts in the wee hours of the morning.

When sources from the Westmoreland police were contacted, they admitted hearing of the cases but said no official reports have been made.

seven victims

"The first time happen bout two weeks ago, about five man wake up and when dem ready fi drive out realise seh dem gas done," the caller who gave his name as 53-year-old Sanjay Higgins said last Thursday.

Another resident who also claimed to being among at least seven victims whose cars were drained last week said; "Dem neva trouble my car di first time eno but nobody neva expect it fi happen again, but two days later a di same ting reach me. Dem lef mi vehicle empty, empty and mi full mi tank di previous day eno," the man who asked to be referred to as Mr Jones said.

According to the two men, it is believed that the thieves simply go through the community and look for vehicles which are parked in yards, leaving them open to the petrol crooks.

The men also say a number of victims, after realising that their vehicles were robbed of gas, found pieces of hose in their yard which they believe were used and left there by the thieves.

While the police say they have no formal reports which are needed to launch investigations, residents say they will be doing a probe of their own.

They claim they have heard that a particular resident is involved in the crimes.

Asked why nobody has gone to make a report to the police, Higgins claimed the victims were all hardworking people who just had not found the time to do so.

"A jus di time wi nuh get yet eno, but wi ago do some police work fi wiself, wi a hear some argument but one likkle thiefin' bway inna di place eno. Wi ago check him out," Higgins said.