Fuel Thieves Are Now Drilling Holes In Gas Tanks As Prices Climb
As fuel prices rise, thieves are drilling holes into gas tanks to steal fuel, causing costly damage. Victims face repair bills of up to $3,000 due to the need to replace the tank.
Fuel thieves are resorting to drilling holes into gas tanks as prices soar. Modern anti-siphon designs have made traditional fuel theft difficult, leading to more destructive methods. A service advisor in Los Angeles reports seeing a drilled-out gas tank about once a week. Victims, such as 31-year-old Arizona driver Tasi Malala, face costly repairs, with Malala's bill totaling nearly $3,000. Police in Spokane caught a thief who stole $25 worth of gas but caused over $2,000 in damage. The shift in theft methods is a result of modern vehicles' narrower, curved filler necks and anti-siphon baffles.
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