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Title: Police say Chicago man tried to transport $2,000 of fuel across

GARY, Ind. -- Tempted by cheaper fuel prices, a Chicago man allegedly tanked up in Indiana and tried to transport more than $2,000 worth of...

Associated Press

Last updated 02:47 AM, EST, Thursday, March 30, 2000

GARY, Ind. (AP) -- Tempted by cheaper fuel prices, a Chicago man allegedly tanked up in Indiana and tried to transport more than $2,000 worth of gas across the state border.

Miguel Estrada, 56, was cited Tuesday for driving with an expired vehicle registration and for driving without a flammable material placard, Indiana State Police said.

Estrada, who works for Recycled Office Furniture in Chicago, allegedly went to a truck stop in Gary and filled about 20 plastic and steel drums with diesel fuel. Each drum holds about 55 gallons.

He loaded the drums into a box truck, intending to use the fuel for company vehicles, police said.

"This is the first time I've run into this," said Brian Nagle, state police motor carrier inspector. "I'm sure it does happen with the fuel prices right now."

The average diesel fuel price in Illinois was $1.61 per gallon as of March 15, according to the AAA-Chicago Motor Club. In Indiana, it was 9 cents less at $1.52.

Add to that the cost of sales and motor fuel taxes, and Indiana becomes a bargain when compared with its neighbor.

"Truck drivers, when they drive cross country, will try to avoid fueling in Illinois," said Steve Nolan, spokesman for the Chicago Motor Club.

While Estrada was thinking economically, he didn't have the proper paperwork to transport the fuel.

In addition, the drums lacked the proper labeling, the fire extinguisher was empty, the load was not secured and Estrada does not speak English, which is a violation of federal law for someone with a commercial driver's license, police said. http://www.starnews.com/data/wire/xml/0330ap_k2t30v7109.html

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-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), March 30, 2000