Thieves Steal Gas from Cars as Costs Soar, Police Say — Here's How to Protect Your Ve

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Thieves Steal Gas from Cars as Costs Soar, Police Say — Here's How to Protect Your Vehicle

While some thieves use rubber hoses to siphon fuel out, we are seeing modern day thieves use power tools to drill a hole in the gas tank and steal fuel," said the Everett Police Department in Washington

The average price in the U.S. for a gallon of regular gas is currently $4.33, up from $3.48 a month ago, according to AAA. Amid the surge, authorities across the country are advising drivers to protect their gas.

The Renton Police Department in Washington posted a warning on its Facebook page, telling people to park their vehicles in garages whenever possible and purchase a "quality locking gas cap."

"We understand a motivated thief may not be deterred from stealing, no matter how hard we try to protect our items of value," the department said. "But the goal is to introduce deterrents that will make them uncomfortable, or present inconveniences that will encourage them to leave the area."

The Everett Police Department in Washington also detailed how fuel thefts are occurring.

]"While some thieves use rubber hoses to siphon fuel out, we are seeing modern day thieves use power tools to drill a hole in the gas tank and steal fuel," the department wrote on its Facebook page.

"The cost of damage to the gas tank far exceeds that of the gasoline and we recommend that you park your vehicle in a garage or well-lit and high traveled area to help deter would-be thieves," they continued.

https://people.com/human-interest/p...hieves-are-targeting-cars-as-gas-prices-soar/

How to siphon gas easily without a pump.

 
This happened to me in the 70s when the gas shortage was going on. My dad bought me a locking gas cap. It was a pain to use but better than losing your gas.
 
The article is wrong. A hole in a gas tank is easy to fix. At least with steel tanks. Some today are plastic and i have no experience with them.

Thieves use a cordless drill and that leaves a perfectly round hole. A screw and washer will solve that. You can also use an epoxy like J B Weld. Sand the area and smear on the epoxy and let it dry overnight. A simple $10 awl jammed into the hole will also do a good job.
 
I suspect trucks are really getting hit bad by this. They have large tanks and high clearance. Might be best if owners like that kept the tank only say 1/4 full.

BTW - 10 gallons of gas weighs around 80 pounds.
 
Park as close to your door as you can.

Have an alert dog.


And one of these at arm's length...or closer:



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Catalytic converters are also getting stolen a lot for the rare metals like palladium inside. Pal now sells at $3,000 per ounce!!!. More than gold. But stealing a cat is pretty tough and for most vehicles the thieves have to jack up the car. Very dangerous unless they use jack stands and i doubt they do.
 
Catalytic converters are also getting stolen a lot for the rare metals like palladium inside. Pal now sells at $3,000 per ounce!!!. More than gold. But stealing a cat is pretty tough and for most vehicles the thieves have to jack up the car. Very dangerous unless they use jack stands and i doubt they do.

This is true.
 
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