Senior Sergeant Alan Grindell, of Wanaka, said yesterday 250 litres of diesel was stolen from a Luggate commercial yard on August 15 or 16.
A smaller quantity had also been reported stolen from a Wanaka commercial yard.
Snr Sgt Grindell said there had also been reports of fuel thefts from Tarras - two on August 5 and one on July 16.
Thefts had also been reported in the Cromwell area, where viticulturalists and the owners of commercial plants had been the main targets.
There had also been a second-hand report of a theft from a Makarora fuel depot.
In the Luggate theft, a mini-tanker or frequent visits by vehicles over the weekend would have been required, he said.
"The majority of crime scenes are rural and lack natural surveillance.
"The police ask businesses with heavy machinery to think proactively and consider basic crime prevention tactics such as improved lighting, alarm systems, leaving minimal fuel in vehicles and alerting neighbours."
Public reports of suspicious behaviour were "like gold" he said.
> Wanaka police attended a truck accident at 1am yesterday, near the intersection of Ballantyne Rd and State Highway 6. Const Bruce McLean said the driver was not injured, but a crane took most of the morning to right the vehicle.
