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AS GAS PRICES RIS, NUMBER OF GAS THEIVES ALSO ON THE RISE

24 February 2000

By Rick Callahan Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS -- Gasoline prices topping $1.50 a gallon have sparked a wave of gas thefts across Indiana, with culprits filling up their tanks then racing away without paying.

The problem has grown along with each increase in gas prices, officials said, and has prompted some merchants to ask customers to pay before they pump -- a hassle for time-pressed motorists who aren't sure how much gas they'll need.

"After 6 p.m. we turn off the pumps unless we know who it is. It's easy to get fooled," said manager Allen Rees, manager of Blue & White Service.

The truck stop on Indianapolis' east side has been hit by more than two dozen "drive-offs" within the past two weeks as gas prices have edged ever higher. The latest hit came just after sundown Monday when a woman sped away just after filling up.

"This last one was a little old gray-haired lady. She filled up and took off down the road," he said. "It's been increasing the last month or so. Every one is 10 dollars, 15 dollars, on up. That adds up over time."

Gas prices now average $1.41 a gallon in the United States. Some analysts even predict pump prices could rise to $1.60 or $1.70 per gallon before the problem eases.

Joe Lackey, president of the Indiana Grocery and Convenience Store Association, said the group's 3,000 members have reported a dramatic increase in thefts in recent weeks. Stations lining busy thoroughfares have been prime targets, he said.

"They're exploding all over the state. You're talking about major thefts of $25 or $30 and they're off to the races. We think it's a major problem," Lackey said.

In Porter County, the increase in thefts has mirrored the rise in gasoline prices, Porter County Patrolman Timothy Emmons, the sheriff's department spokesman, told The Post-Tribune of Gary. The agency had been getting about two such thefts a week until last week; now there are about two a day.

"What people don't realize is that theft of gasoline, even if only a few dollars worth, is a felony that can mean up to a three-year jail sentence," Emmons said. "In some instances, motorists may not have enough money to fill the tank and decide to steal gas."

Retiree Phyllis Boyd stopped Wednesday afternoon to fill up her car at an Amoco station in downtown Indianapolis. The price of regular there was $1.55 a gallon. Boyd said she's not surprised gas thefts have risen because some people may not be able afford to fuel up.

"People will take a chance doing anything they think they can get away with. And with prices being as high as they are, that's going to happen," she said.

Amoco manager Jasmine Many said the station had averaged about three gas thefts a month, but has had seven within the past two and a half weeks. The most recent was Wednesday morning when a motorist pumped $17 worth of gas then raced off.

Lackey said the thefts hurt convenience stores, which operate on a slim profit margin. Many retailers have switched to requiring customers to pay before filling up, he said.

And he complains that the problem has been worsened because law enforcement hasn't responded to the sudden surge in gas thefts.

Marion County sheriff's Col. Scott Minier said the department allocates its investigators' time based on the severity of the crime. But now that reported gas thefts have doubled to about four a day, and the value of the thefts has soared, the department has begun taking gas crimes more seriously, he said.

"A dollar 65 a gallon certainly increases the value. Coupled with the fact that some SUV's have 40-gallon tanks we're talking a lot of money," he said.

Harry Murphy, a spokesman for the Lanham, Md.-based Service Station Dealers of America said that while there has been a slight increase in gas thefts it's a far cry from the rash of gas theft and siphonings during the 1970s.

"Those have been off and on for years and they may be going up a smidgen right now, but I haven't heard any hew and cry about it," Murphy said. "The solution is just to make people pay before they fill up. They're going to prepay rather than post-pay."

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-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), February 24, 2000

Answers

Time to switch to my locking gas cap.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), February 24, 2000.

Good idea Brooks.

-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), February 24, 2000.

If you remember the first gas crunch back in 1974, you might remember the coil-spring "thingie" you could buy to stop gas theives from putting a siphon hose into your tank. Those things are part of the standard equipment in new vehicles since about 1984, if I'm not mistaken.

Beats locking gas caps by a mile, especially when you lose the key.

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), February 24, 2000.

Thanks for tip WW. =)

-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), February 24, 2000.

However, realize that the thief who really needs/wants the fuel will get it, locking cap or not. Just slide under the vehicle, and cut the fuel line. Put end of line in container, and fill it. Plug end of line, hand container to buddy, get new container...

Takes longer, but still he gets your gas.

-- Bill (billclo@blazenet.net), February 24, 2000.

Back to horses. LOL

-- Dee (T1Colt556@aol.com), February 25, 2000.