Houston gas station claims thieves stole more than 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel from underground storage tanks

HOUSTON – A family-owned gas station in southwest Houston claims thousands of dollars worth of diesel fuel was stolen from their underground storage tanks by thieves.

Jerry Thayil, a manager at the Fuqua Express gas station, said he first noticed something was amiss during a daily inventory check and started reviewing surveillance video.

Thayil said he has repeatedly noticed a dark-colored truck parked on the store’s tanks.

“At first we wondered what he was doing there because we didn’t see anyone get out of the car but then we realized there was probably a trap door inside the car and he was pumping like that. ,” Thayil said.

Thayil said his family’s business has been hit three times because of about 350 gallons of diesel a day. On the fourth try, he said he was at the store.

Thayil said: “As soon as I saw him drive past the tank, I rushed out of the office.

In surveillance video, Thayil can be seen chasing the speeding truck driver.

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“We have bills to pay, we have employees who trust us, need that money,” says Thayil.

Thayil believes the van driver may have had an accomplice in a private vehicle.

He filed a police report with the Houston Police Department and informed them of what he believes happened.

KPRC 2 contacted HPD but could not have any information about the incident at the time.