A New Zealand security guard has had his licence approval cancelled following repeated petrol theft complaints and concerns over his immigration status.

Gurleen Bahia had his certificate of approval (COA) cancelled by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA) on October 6, 2026, after police raised concerns about his suitability to continue working in the security industry.

According to the decision, police alleged Bahia had been involved in nine separate incidents of leaving petrol stations without paying since December 2025.

Bahia admitted three petrol theft offences that occurred in December 2025, April 2026 and May 2026.

He received formal police warnings for those offences.

However, police reported further incidents, with Bahia facing criminal charges relating to alleged offending on August 22 and 28, 2026.

Four additional incidents were also being investigated, with no charges laid at the time of the Authority's decision.

Police advised the Authority that Bahia's visa had expired and that he was no longer legally entitled to remain or work in New Zealand.

The matter was heard remotely on October 6, 2026, but Bahia did not attend the hearing or provide a written response opposing the police complaint.

Licensing Authority P A McConnell considered the repeated dishonesty concerns particularly serious given the responsibilities placed on security guards.

The decision noted that petrol stations were among the types of premises Bahia could potentially be employed to protect.

McConnell found that Bahia's recent history of petrol theft made him unsuitable to continue working as a responsible security employee.

The Authority also took into account his expired visa and the finding that he was no longer legally entitled to live or work in New Zealand.

His certificate of approval was cancelled with immediate effect under section 83(ab) of the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010.

Bahia was also ordered to return his security identification card to the PSPLA within seven days of receiving the decision.

The ruling removes his approval to undertake regulated security work in New Zealand.

The decision records three admitted petrol theft offences, formal police warnings and further allegations involving pending charges. It does not record criminal convictions for those matters.

The case is recorded as 2026 NZPSPLA 090, dated October 6, 2026.