With gas prices skyrocketing across the United States at nearly $5 per gallon and diesel near $6 per gallon, authorities say thieves are now targeting the pumps. A gas station in St. Cloud, Florida, reported this month that two men stole nearly 1,100 gallons of diesel fuel. Now, the police are on the lookout for slick suspects.
According to investigators, the suspects showed up at the central Florida gas station in two white F250 pickups, loaded with crates on the truck’s bed. Employees say the stolen fuel is worth about $6,000.
“Throughout the afternoon, they took turns going to that pump, pump number three, I think it happened, a number of times over a number of hours,” St. Cloud Sgt said. Wayne Souza.
Police are still looking for clues after the June 1 robbery.
We are looking for two suspects in connection with the theft of approximately 1,093 gallons of gas! Do you know any of our suspects? If so, please contact Det. Mannix at 407-891-6729 or @CrimelineFL. #turnemintuesday #advice #CrimeLine #SCPD pic.twitter.com/7oN6y4bxb4
– St.Cloud Police Department (@StCloudPD) June 14, 2022
Reports of stolen gas appear nationwide
Florida is not the only place where there have been reports of stolen gas. In the Houston area, an employee tried to confront gas thieves with a stick, according to ABC news. The suspects have also fled after thieves robbed the property several times over the past four months for fuel. The owner told police the company lost an estimated $20,000 in 12 separate diesel engine thefts.
In similar incidents across the states, experts say thieves are tampering with a “vibrator” in the pump to avoid paying.
“It tells the meter how many gallons and how much you have to pay for that fuel. By changing the buzzer, they can change the retail price to one cent a gallon,” said Ned Bowman, Exec. Dir. Of the Florida Petroleum Marketers Association.
He said shortly after the police broke a gas theft ring; another one seems to pop up.
“I know we are working very closely with law enforcement from the federal and state levels,” Bowman said.
Roomies, are you shocked by the spike in petrol robberies?
