gas-and-dash.... must.... fill.... up...
"It's rising prices," says Christie Rewey of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Theft of gas rises as price goes up
By William M. Welch, USA TODAY Thefts of fuel from service stations are rising with the price of gasoline, and states are cracking down with stiffer penalties for pump-and-run pirates.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-06-30-gas-thefts_x.htm
As the average price of a gallon of regular gas, $2.21, stands near record levels this holiday weekend, gas station owners say thefts are soaring.
In response, at least 10 states have stiffened penalties this year or are considering it. (Related chart: State-by-state gas prices)
"Our drive-offs are up probably 100%" this year, says Jeff Miller of Norfolk, Va., president of a company that operates 88 gas stations and convenience stores selling gas. "We're on track to lose about a quarter of a million dollars" in 2005.
Gas retailers lost $234 million to theft in 2004, more than double the amount in 2003, the National Association of Convenience Stores reports. The annual loss averaged $2,141 per store.
GETTING TOUGH
New laws states have enacted to fight gas theft: Minnesota enacted a law in June allowing 30-day license suspensions, on top of misdemeanor theft penalties, for a pump-and-run conviction.
Iowa began suspending licenses for second offenses in June.
Oklahoma raised the fine to $500 from $100, plus up to 60 days in jail.
South Dakota allows a retailer who records a thief's license plate to identify the car owner through state records and demand payment. The owner would face a service charge and court costs.
Virginia, which added license suspensions in 2003, raises the fine today to $250 from $100.
In Oregon, one of two states that prohibit self-service pumping - the other is New Jersey - Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed a law this week adding suspensions to penalties.
Catching drive-away thieves is difficult, even in states that allow judges to suspend drivers' licenses on top of criminal penalties. "It's a huge problem," says Jeff Lenard, an association spokesman. "It's something you see when the prices increase."
Lenard notes another alarming trend: theft of fuel by the tank load.
In Alabama, a man was arrested when his specially designed truck blew up while he was pumping gas into it from an underground storage tank.
In Miami, 55 have been arrested in a theft ring that siphoned fuel from tanks.
At least 28 states have toughened penalties so judges can yank licenses for gas-and-dash drivers, starting with Georgia in 1998.
"When you've got 10 states ... looking at this issue, it's pretty clear it's in response to something. It's rising prices," says Christie Rewey of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Requiring a cash or credit card payment before pumping would prevent gas theft, but Lenard says some retailers oppose that because it discourages drivers from going inside to buy more profitable items.
Cities are looking at requiring prepayment to reduce the time law officers spend on the crime.
Oklahoma state Rep. Paul Roan sponsored a bill to do that but saw it changed to a stiffer penalty. Roan, 62, a former Oklahoma state trooper, says cops don't like gas-and-dash calls. "You've got more things to do than be a bill collector for a service station," he says.
Contributing: Brandon Stump
Find this article at: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-06-30-gas-thefts_x.htm