As gas prices rise, thieves try new strategies to steal fuel

Organized teams of gasoline thieves have been putting stations round Southern California.

At a Chevron in Lengthy Seashore, the “tremendous organized” bandits used vans modified with massive plastic tanks to seize gasoline after breaking the pump so it continues shelling out, a clerk on the station stated.

“It seems like development truck, however within the center, it’s designed as a tank, which suggests all the things is modified,” the clerk stated.

Except for Lengthy Seashore, no less than two different fuel stations have been hit within the L.A. space, together with one in Wilmington, the place the thieves acquired away with greater than 5,000 gallons of diesel value about $30,000.

Different gas thefts have been reported throughout the nation, in some circumstances involving bandits drilling into the tanks beneath vehicles to steal fuel.

In Southern California, fuel station staff are encouraging one another to be careful for vans that fill method, method up.

“I so upset! I do know they’re coming quickly. Doesn’t matter. I’ve acquired my landline telephone able to name police,” the clerk stated.