RCMP Investigate Theft of 5,000 Litres of Fuel From Edmonton-Area Gas Station

Strathcona County RCMP are investigating the theft of 5,000 litres of diesel and premium fuel from a gas station in Uncas, Alberta, east of Edmonton.

Police say the theft occurred at a Tempo Gas station on Wye Road, where suspects allegedly ripped off vents and disconnected a hose attached to the station’s fuel storage system, allowing the fuel to be accessed.

Investigators believe the incident took place between midnight and 4:30 a.m. on May 1. Staff initially suspected a malfunctioning fuel sensor, but after discovering the damaged vents and hose, they contacted police at about 10:45 a.m., according to a statement provided to The Epoch Times by the Alberta RCMP.

When officers arrived, they also found evidence of a fuel spill extending into a nearby treeline. Police said a provincial environmental agency is now assessing any potential environmental impact resulting from the spill.

Authorities have not released an estimated dollar value for the stolen fuel. No arrests have been made and no charges have been laid as the investigation continues. Police are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact RCMP or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

Tempo Fuel is a Canadian independent gas station brand operating mainly in Western Canada, with locations typically owned by local dealers. Established in 1960, it is part of a broader network of independently operated fuel and convenience stations.

Uncas is a small rural community in Strathcona County, east of Sherwood Park. The area is part of a lightly developed agricultural and lake district near Antler Lake and Half Moon Lake, where hamlets and residential subdivisions are interspersed with farmland, wooded areas, and rural roads.

The Tempo gas station on Range Road 214 is located along a quiet stretch of Wye Road/Highway 630, where commercial services are limited and settlements are widely dispersed. It primarily serves a broad rural catchment area—including nearby farms, lake communities, and passing motorists.

Fuel thefts in Alberta in recent years have typically involved siphoning from vehicles and storage tanks, as well as fraud through stolen fleet fuel cards used to purchase large volumes of fuel across multiple locations. In one major case, RCMP investigated a coordinated fuel card fraud scheme that resulted in more than $100,000 in losses across Fort McMurray and Edmonton over several months.

Industry groups have also previously warned about cardlock and commercial fuel system fraud, which can enable offenders to access and resell significant volumes of fuel, highlighting the evolving methods used in fuel-related crime across the province.