The price of gas is causing thieves to get more creative. They are punching holes in car gas tanks and then sucking out the gas.
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."
The Record in San Joaquin County, Calif., reports:
Paul La Berge, manager of Bruce & Jack's Auto Service ... has been in the auto repair business since 1967. He saw his first case of gas-tank tapping two weeks ago.
"Obviously punched," he said, adding it was by someone who wanted to avoid sparking a fire with a drill.
The owner's gas tank had to be pulled and sent to a radiator shop for cleaning and repair at a total charge of about $300, he said.
Al Tassano, manager of Western Radiator Service, at 1780 E. Roosevelt St., said the shop has repaired holes drilled in several vehicle tanks in the past six months - mostly larger, heavier tanks that hold 45 to 50 gallons.
"It's actually pretty brazen, because you could start a fire - all it takes is a spark," he said.
The Honolulu Advertiser reports that U-Haul Hawaii has lost thousands of dollars of gasoline to thieves.
