Northern Territory Police have charged a 39-year-old man in relation to a fuel drive-off in Tennant Creek.

Tennant Creek and Barkly Division Superintendent Kerry Hoskins said the man allegedly drove off without paying for $81.88 of premium unleaded fuel from a service station in the town about 3:45pm yesterday.

“The service station attendant followed the vehicle, before the driver eventually stopped about 10km north of town and returned to the service station,” Superintendent Hoskins said.

“When neither the driver nor his passenger were able to provide payment, Police were called.”

“After speaking with the men Police formed the belief that they may have been in possession of illicit drugs and subsequently searched their car.

 “During the search, Police found drug paraphernalia including glass pipes, syringe wrappers and clip seal bags.”

The driver was also unlicensed, and the vehicle unregistered and unroadworthy.

The driver was arrested and taken back to the Tennant Creek Watch House, where he then returned a breath-alcohol content of 0.063%.

He was charged with:

• Stealing
• Drive Unregistered Motor Vehicle
• Drive unlicensed
• Drive uninsured
• Drive motor vehicle unsafe to drive
• Low-range drink driving
• Possess thing – administer dangerous drug

He was remanded to appear in Alice Springs Local Court today.