More And More People Are Resorting To Stealing Gas
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
May 31, 2008 4:13pm CST
You just knew we'd be hearing stories like this...I heard this on the news last night. With the price of gas getting so ridiculous, more and more people are resorting to stealing gas in all kinds of ways...from filling up at a gas station and just driving off without paying, people stealing propane tanks from people's homes, RVs or even gas grills, to outwardly siphoning off gas from other people's cars...
Would you ever resort to this kind of theft if you were desperate for gas?
Here's an excerpt from an article I found about this
(quote)
-- Drivers beware. Thieves may be sucking the life out of your car.
Apparently more people are trying to avoid skyrocketing fuel prices by stealing gas other people -- maybe even you-- have paid for.
Soaring prices are apparently driving more people to act like common criminals...siphoning gas from other cars to put into theirs.
Complaints are growing across the country --
The higher the price for gasoline -- the more people desperate enough to steal it. In some cases they're drilling into the tanks. Trucks or SUVs that sit higher are the usual targets..."
The full article is here
http://ktla.trb.com/news/ktla-gas-thefts,0,1961126.story?track=rss
10 people like this
34 responses
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
31 May 08
I don't think I'd resort to stealing from other people as desperate as myself. I'd rather walk everywhere or get a horse first, really.
And if things continue on this trend, bikes, horses, and scooters may be most people's modes of transportation anyway, heh.
Long-term, rather than short-term. It's sad that some people feel they're pushed to this. It's a sign of the times that common criminals are taking advaage of this situation..
3 people like this
@xParanoiax (6987)
• United States
1 Jun 08
^_^ indeed, it's unfortunate that not everything is in walking distance for my family. *is glad you've luck in this area*
I wouldn't terribly mind having a pony or a horse, to be quite honest with you. I've always loved them, and a few people are riding horses to work or school these days -- it's amazing, though I'm not sure it'll really become as much of a trend as scooters or bikes. You can't very easily purchase a horse or pony as much as you can the other two, they don't sell them in department stores and such.
Any of the three will suit me quite fine though. I HAD really wanted to get my first car this year, but after all this happened I've realized that they don't really do well for long-term planning.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 May 08
I do know that sales for bikes are rising, so it would seem more people are turning to bike riding than using their cars. I don't drive or have a car...I walk everywhere myself and thank goodness everything I need to get is within walking distance.
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
2 Jun 08
Umm, just a question but....
Where in the heck are you going to put a horse while you are at work or school all day? Or even if you were just going to the store for that matter.
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
31 May 08
I definitely was not surprised. I saw it beginning to happen a few months ago in my college town. Some poor woman that worked at Mcdonalds went to get in her car to leave and found out someone stole her gas. They were attacking cars left and right downtown to get what they could. The more prices rise, the worse it's going to get. Businesses aren't going to make any money from gas soon because too many people are driving away from the pump.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
31 May 08
they will be installing security cameras, if they have not already. I know that they began prosecuting drive offs much more severely a year or so ago.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 May 08
Yeesh, that's terrible what happened to that woman. So far I'm not aware of it happening in my neighborhood, and most people just park there cars on the streets in front of the apt. buildings, but I guess it's only a matter of time before they do. My block is a relatively long one...there must be at least thirty cars parked at any given time...that would be a lot of gas for the taking--or just think of your average shopping mall garage...that would be even worse.
Besides security cameras they might have to actually hire security guards as well
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
31 May 08
As far as drive offs go, many states may start doing what California already does. You have to pay for your gas or use a credit card before the will even turn on the pump. So there really aren't any drive offs here cause you have to pay before hand.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
31 May 08
No I would not steal gas. I will walk, whenever possible, plan my trips differently, ride a bicycle. I heard a lot of people at yardsales talking about their bikes today, and how many days a week they ride them rather than drive. It may be one way to get America more fit.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 May 08
Yes, bike riding would be a wonderful way for we Americans to stay in better shape...in most Asian countries most people do ride bikes
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
31 May 08
Pye, this is even happening here. we have had numerous news stories of this happening even in influential neighborhoods all around us, the best thing to do now is get a locking gas cap and lock up propane tanks. Would I ever do it, no but what do they expect with everything so high that people are losing homes and not being able to put food on the table for buying gas to get back and forth to work?
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 May 08
I don't have a car..heck don't even know how to drive. I often thought how great it would be to have a car and drive, but maybe it's best that I don't cause I just plain wouldn't have the funds for gas period..thank goodness I can walk to just about everywhere since I have so many stores handy and within walking distance
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
2 Jun 08
The part that really amazed me is that someone was using a power drill and drilling a hole in the gas tanks. They said on the news, which makes perfect sense, a single spark and those idiots would be blown to smithereens! It's awful, but desperate times usually lead to desperate measures.
Annie
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jun 08
I wonder if people who are willing to drill holes in tanks really do realize the danger they are putting themselves in--it could be they are stealing it or trying to, to sell it???
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
31 May 08
It is only to be expected I guess with the way that fuel is rocketing just lately. It is something that used to happen a lot years ago in an area I used to live in. Only then it was joyriders that used to do it.
I am thankful that me and hubby are not that reliant on it too much to have to resort to stealing it from others tanks, we are lucky in that I do not drive and do all my shopping on foot, and he has recently changed his place of work and so can walk now. The only time we need to fill the tank up is when we plan to go somewhere or when I have to go to the hospital.
No one would have any luck stealing ours though, as hubby only puts what he needs in, he never fills the tank right up!!
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 May 08
I'm lucky that I'm within walking distance to just about everything near me..grocery shops, my bank..libraries, even a shopping mall area.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
1 Jun 08
IF I caught any one stealing my gas they wouldnt be walking around any more.
Have hard enoughtime getting $20 in when I am getting low and yup I do beleive I would turn them in but make sure the one they are getting it from isnt thier other car lol
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jun 08
I think people are going to have to think up a way to set up alarm systems if someone tries to steal gas..no???
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
31 May 08
lol. Good thing I have a car that sits low to the ground. I would never steal gas. I have a bike and a pair of feet that work, and family that would spot me gas money if I needed. Its a terrible thing when people have to steal gas or like I have seen beg people for gas at the gas station.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
2 Jun 08
Except for Wally World and Menards. 
Still say your on another planet instead of in a city. 
Still say your on another planet instead of in a city. 1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Jun 08
My feet do all my transportation needs...I'm lucky I have so many stores close by to walk to that I don't have to rely on car travel..uh, don't even have a car..LOL
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
31 May 08
I haven't heard of any gas thieves as of late but robberies are getting to be ridiculous here. Every day I read about a few more, mainly copper/aluminum thieves.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
2 Jun 08
It is here being they haven't caught the elusive thieves yet. Wonder where they are cashing all that copper in at being all the scrapyards in our county have been put on alert for anyone with a ton of copper piping or wiring.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Jun 08
Yikes I did a discussion about the copper stealing some time ago...so it's still going on
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jun 08
For so long I have wished to have a car...don't and don't even know how to drive..but yikes, it would be hard for me to afford the gas for a car if I did..I am lucky I'm within walking distance to just about everything I need here
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
2 Jun 08
funny you mention this-my brother's gas tank lid on the car is damaged now (it has an over plate).i think somebody tried to steal from him,though he thinks i'm being over guarded.all i know it wasn't like that before..
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
7 Jun 08
if gas gets much higher,i'm sure they might.
we've got people stealing from parked DPW equipment now.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jun 08
It's a wonder so far that people in my area haven't thought about stealing gas from cars..uh, yet..my block is a real long one, and there must be at least a total of thirty cars (fifteen on either side of the street)..think of all the gas one could steal just from my block alone
1 person likes this
@Dreamweaverr (131)
• United States
2 Jun 08
I'm not surprised. Desperation drives people to do some strange things. You can get a locking gas cap to help prevent this. Of course that won't help with drilling into the car. That is just dangerous too.
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
6 Jun 08
I don't think Stealing fuel from someone else's tank due to higher gas prices can be put down to "Desperation"...If Your Family was Starving,and You were somehow unable to provide for them,maybe,Desperation might be involved...Stealing fuel so You can drive around in YOUR car and deprive someone of the fuel they worked to pay for..there's words I'd use for that Person that would get censored here on Mylot....Bottom Line- A Car is a LUXURY-It's a convenient,easy to use means of transportation we take for Granted-it's now getting to the stage we can no longer do that.What had been a cheap commodity is rapidly becoming a valuable one.if You don't already have a locking fuel cap,buy one!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jun 08
I think more and more people really are going to view a car as a luxury item, even if it's a necessity just to get to work.
@littleowl (7157)
•
1 Jun 08
Hi Pye-this is a hard one to answer cos here in the UK gas/petrol and diesel have soared sky high and its getting harder and harder for all drivers as I dont drive my son does but I know he would all ways pay he is not the type of person that could just drive off without paying--but it does raies the question if you really are hard up and cant afford it then yes people are going to steal gas etc somehowe and in a sense I dont blame them why cant the goverments etc see what they are doing to the economy and how much poorer they are making hard working people who lose half their wages in tax? It annoys me immensly how the prices of all household bills are rising as well and more and more people are needing to travel by car-so in one way I really dont blame those for stealing petrol/gas here and there nothing in this world comes free-bb littleowl
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jun 08
I think more and more people are simply going to have to go with the idea of carpooling and maybe the people involved in the carpool splitting the costs for gas. I know too, in my area many no longer stock up on groceries every week, but so to save gas money, stock up for the whole month now so they don't have to keep using gas just to buy groceries..which also have gone way up as well--and of course the blame there for rising costs of food is due to the rising cost of fuel to transport foods...vicious cycle, no?
@littleowl (7157)
•
6 Jun 08
you are right there Pye and as you say its anever ending vicious circle your friend littleowl
@scampf1 (25)
• United States
1 Jun 08
Unfortunately, this kind of thing happens when the price of any commodity raises. I remember for a few years pictures kept circulating on the internet showing men who had been electrocuted trying to steel copper out of utility wire in Russia.
The best story I ever read regarding this practice involved a man trying to siphon furl from an RV with a garden hose. Not being familiar with recreational vehicles he had inserted the siphon hose into the septic tank and not the fuel tank. The story was from description police had provided when they arrived on the scene to find a very sick person.
You just have to love karmas sense of humor.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
5 Jun 08
I think I read that story on www.thisistrue.com ..yep..what goes around,comes around 
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jun 08
LOL...yup that almost does sound like a bit of karma working there..LOL
@badkat83 (1620)
• United States
3 Jun 08
This is scary, because if you keep your car outside, there is nothing you can do. They can come in the night and just take it. Here in NY most of the gas stations have converted to pay at the pump or pre pay, so it is hard to drive off. Scary.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jun 08
Just on my block alone, a very long one, on either side of the street are fifteen cars parked at any given moment..so thirty cars all total..that would be someone's dream come true to steal gas just on my block alone
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
4 Jun 08
I read a news story on some dumb cluck who tried siphoning Gas from somebody's RV...He chose the wrong nozzle to siphon from,and got a mouthful of ..erm..sewage...The Owner came back to find the Guy on the ground...Apparently the Owner was laughing so hard he refused to press charges!
@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
6 Jun 08
Hi There,
I am not overly surprised by this. The cost of gas has gone sky high and many see it as an obvious manipulation of the markets. When people feel they are being taken advantage of they often resort to using less than postive tactics. Unfortunatley they sometimes hit other people who are suffering the same way so their tactics become double negatives. I do feel for people who need their vehicles to earn a living but have been just barely making it. The rising fuel costs will make it so they are no longer able to make it. Distressing.
cheers,
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
7 Jun 08
I think more and more people should really consider carpooling don't you? That way each person could contribute to gas costs
@ryzach (1544)
• United States
3 Jun 08
Just the other day I was at the gas station and the guy in front of me was telling the clerk how he had to fill his tank because someone had stolen all his gas(his tank was just about full)the night before. I would never resort to stealing gasoline. My car is parked in garage at night but is still out in public parking lot during the day and I do not have a locking gas cap. Maybe it is time to get one, maybe it won't even help. Now that I think about it I never seem to have my tank full anymore these days due to the expense so the thieves would not be getting that much from me anyway. Still a shame it has come to this.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jun 08
Oh, that's terrible about that guy whose gas was stolen. I think that would be a wiser move to only fill the tank with just enough gas to get where one needs to go and no more..that would deter thieves from stealing it as they then wouldn't get that much
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
6 Jun 08
Wow that's really disturbing. I'd never resort to stealing gas from the station or from other vehicles. If you can't afford gas, then don't drive There are other means of transportation such as biking or taking the public transit anyway. Furthermore, if I'm so poor that I couldn't afford to pay for gas, I'll sell my car first before stealing! It's really bad I hope the UN will do something about this problem soon!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
7 Jun 08
Well the thing is some people just don't have any alternative means of transportation--some "public transportation" costs can almost be as high as filling up a tank of gas for a car
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Jun 08
Nope it's not another tall tale...since it is being reported in the news
