LIVERMORE FALLS — Since Jan. 23, police have received three reports of heating fuel being stolen from tanks at residences and a church. The latter had 100 gallons of K-1 siphoned from an outside tank, police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. said Wednesday.

The most recent reports came earlier this week, he said. A resident of Souther Road noticed footprints around an outside tank either Monday or Tuesday. About five gallons of oil was stolen, he said.

On Sunday, firefighters were called to a duplex on Depot Street after a strong odor of oil was detected. Police were called in shortly after. Someone had entered a vacant unit, gone to the basement and taken about 10 gallons of oil, Steward said.

The siphon pump was still in the tank.

On Jan. 23, a delivery person noticed a fuel stain in the snow near the fuel tank outside a church, he said. It was initially reported as a hazardous material incident.

Then, workers realized that 100 gallons of K-1 had been siphoned out, Steward said. The loss is estimated at $400.

All three incidents are under investigation.

Surrounding towns have had no reports of heating fuel being stolen.

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