Not long ago, we advised readers to consider a locking gas cap due to a minor gas theft epidemic. It seems that gas thieves have gotten creative -- and sometimes catastrophically stupid -- in getting around the $5 devices.
The Honolulu Advertiser reports, "Earlier this month, thieves climbed the fence at the Lanakila Meals on Wheels parking lot in Liliha and stole gasoline from its vans for a third time. The gasoline lines were cut to get the fuel, said Remy Rueda, the agency's director." The same technique was used to drain the gas from vehicles at several U-Haul lots in Hawaii. "The gas lines of most vehicles today are made primarily with plastic tubing, not metal." Sonny Borja, owner of Sunny's Service and Repair, says thieves simply "cut that hose, stick a siphon hose in, and suck out the fuel. All they use is a straight edge blade, a piece of garden hose and a pail." Radio host George Nitta, "said that in California, gas thieves have customized car jacks so that they can easily rip apart a fuel line and take the gasoline."
It's not the safest procedure. Mechanic Toni Sani told Hawaii's ABC affiliate KITV "If they're cutting and say the knife or whatever metal object is metal, it strikes the ground, it can throw a spark and a catastrophic fire," Sani said.
The advertiser notes that steel gas lines are available, but "it would cost about $150 to have a steel gas line custom-made...compared with $15 or $20 for a typical rubber or plastic one."
And even that might not keep thieves away.
The Chicago Tribune reports, "While gas station drive-offs and siphoning are far more common, reports of tank and line puncturing are starting to trickle into police departments and repair shops across the country."
California's San Joaquin Record reports, "Paul La Berge, manager of Bruce & Jack's Auto Service...saw his first case of gas-tank tapping two weeks ago." He said the hole in the tank was "Obviously punched...by someone who wanted to avoid sparking a fire with a drill." Al Tassano, manager of Western Radiator Service said his shop "has repaired holes drilled in several vehicle tanks in the past six months - mostly larger, heavier tanks that hold 45 to 50 gallons." Tassano adds, "It's actually pretty brazen, because you could start a fire - all it takes is a spark."
We aren't aware of drill-proof gas tanks on the market. Yet.
With gas fast becoming a precious commodity, research the most fuel-efficient cars in every class with U.S. News' car rankings and reviews.
