As gas prices soar, thieves steal thousands of dollars’ worth of gasoline to sell, authorities say.

Robert59

Robert59

Well-known Member
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Now I live in Tennesee. Did live in Michigan.

As gas prices soar, thieves steal thousands of dollars’ worth of gasoline to sell, authorities say.​



With the nationwide average price of gasoline hitting $5 a gallon, and prices expected to continue to rise, thefts of gasoline are being reported across the country, and according to police, it’s not just a few gallons being siphoned from vehicles.

Now, thieves are pumping thousands of dollars’ worth of fuel from gas stations and selling it on the black market, according to authorities.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/17/us/virginia-beach-gas-scam/index.html
 

That doesn't surprise me. There are always opportunists that seize upon every negative situation to make money. When I lived in South Florida, it was the ones selling bottled water after a hurricane. Now it is the oil companies making big profits and refusing to increase production so they can drive up gas prices along with their profits. There is always someone choosing to benefit off everyone else's misery.
 
dseag2 said:
That doesn't surprise me. There are always opportunists that seize upon every negative situation to make money. When I lived in South Florida, it was the ones selling bottled water after a hurricane. Now it is the oil companies making big profits and refusing to increase production so they can drive up gas prices along with their profits. There is always someone choosing to benefit off everyone else's misery.
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There are two sides to that story, but gotta steer clear of politics. BTW -- A local station is pricing Premium a little over $7.
 

The news was showing a couple of videos of people pulling into work places and stealing gas in the middle of the day. Never heard if they caught them.
 
Bella said:
Not all cars have a locking fuel door. If you don't have one, it might be time to get a locking fuel cap. I had one on my car during the fuel crisis in the '70's. I'll bet some of you did, too.
Best Locking Gas Cap of 2020 Full Guide and Review
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That could cost a lot. The reason for high cost is if gas can't be siphoned sliding under a car, poking a hole in the gas tank is the way to get gas.
 
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Knight said:
That could cost a lot. The reason for high cost is if gas can't be siphoned sliding under a car, poking a hole in the gas tank is the way to get gas.
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So what you're saying is to not bother buying a fuel lock cap if you don't have one already? Or if you do, to leave your fuel door unlocked to make it easier for thieves to steal your gas because that'll be cheaper in the long run than the cost of replacing a fuel tank that they've drilled a hole in?

Do you think it's possible that when a thief runs into a car that has a fuel lock, it might be a deterrent and instead of drilling a hole in the gas tank, he might just move on and look for a car that doesn't have a fuel lock?

Do you have a fuel lock that you're going to leave unlocked? Just askin'. :)

Bella ✌️
 
Jules said:
The news was showing a couple of videos of people pulling into work places and stealing gas in the middle of the day. Never heard if they caught them.
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I can’t read the story now; these gas tanks were drilled. That’s about $1500 damage.
 
Robert59 said:
Now, thieves are pumping thousands of dollars’ worth of fuel from gas stations and selling it on the black market, according to authorities.
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Meanwhile, nationwide/ worldwide?/ 'thieves' are buying or building or own gas stations and sell it 'legally' while robbing the customers because of corporate or individual greed.
ElCastor said:
There are two sides to that story, but gotta steer clear of politics. BTW -- A local station is pricing Premium a little over $7.
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Bella said:
So what you're saying is to not bother buying a fuel lock cap if you don't have one already? Or if you do, to leave your fuel door unlocked to make it easier for thieves to steal your gas because that'll be cheaper in the long run than the cost of replacing a fuel tank that they've drilled a hole in?

Do you think it's possible that when a thief runs into a car that has a fuel lock, it might be a deterrent and instead of drilling a hole in the gas tank, he might just move on and look for a car that doesn't have a fuel lock?

Do you have a fuel lock that you're going to leave unlocked? Just askin'. :)

Bella ✌️
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What part of COULD cost a lot do you not understand? Pointing out thieves will find a way isn't wrong IMO.
 
Bella said:
Not all cars have a locking fuel door. If you don't have one, it might be time to get a locking fuel cap. I had one on my car during the fuel crisis in the '70's. I'll bet some of you did, too.
Click to expand...

Knight said:
That could cost a lot. The reason for high cost is if gas can't be siphoned sliding under a car, poking a hole in the gas tank is the way to get gas.
Click to expand...

Bella said:
So what you're saying is to not bother buying a fuel lock cap if you don't have one already? Or if you do, to leave your fuel door unlocked to make it easier for thieves to steal your gas because that'll be cheaper in the long run than the cost of replacing a fuel tank that they've drilled a hole in?

Do you think it's possible that when a thief runs into a car that has a fuel lock, it might be a deterrent and instead of drilling a hole in the gas tank, he might just move on and look for a car that doesn't have a fuel lock?

Do you have a fuel lock that you're going to leave unlocked? Just askin'. :)

Bella ✌️
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Knight said:
What part of COULD cost a lot do you not understand? Pointing out thieves will find a way isn't wrong IMO.
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I understand perfectly that gas COULD be stolen from a car, either by siphoning or drilling a hole in the tank. What I didn't say was pointing it out was wrong, lol.

Bella ✌️
 
Bella said:
I understand perfectly that gas COULD be stolen from a car, either by siphoning or drilling a hole in the tank. What I didn't say was pointing it out was wrong, lol.

Bella ✌️
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I suppose this is also wrong, but I may as well point out that another item that could be stolen, and often is, is the catalytic converter. Thieves get as much as $200 for them, and replacement cost can run $3K. Theft does not involve breaking in or lifting the hood, they just slide under the car.
 
ElCastor said:
I suppose this is also wrong, but I may as well point out that another item that could be stolen, and often is, is the catalytic converter. Thieves get as much as $200 for them, and replacement cost can run $3K. Theft does not involve breaking in or lifting the hood, they just slide under the car.
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Why are you directing this at me? I didn't say anything is "wrong". You "suppose" incorrectly. Got that? Point out whatever you want to point out.
 
No doubt a locking gas cap could make you feel better but for gas thieves it isn't a deterrent. If not prepared to drill a hole in your gas tank as the video shows in a few seconds with a hammer, screw driver & pair of pliers "unlocking" one is easy.


For some things youtube is great but for other things like making theft easy not so much.
 
A friend had 2, 5 gallon gas cans stolen a few days ago. I think there will be a bit of karma for that thief.

She had an older gas can with gas in it and rain water has gotten into it. So she bought a new can and filled it and set it beside the old can, the next morning both cans were gone.
 
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