Mar 18, 2008 6:59 pm US/Central
Man Arrested For Siphoning Gas From Other Cars
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
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By just flipping a switch on the dash of the suspect's car a pump is activated near the fender. The tube then sucks gas from one tank, runs through the hose and into the suspect's tank.
CBS
Police said they caught a North Oaks, Minn. man stealing gas from other cars using a special siphoning device.
Deputies discovered the man with his vehicle parked within inches of another in Vadnais Heights on Sunday morning. As they approached the man, they noted a strong smell of gasoline.
"We happened to notice his truck parked next to a blue minivan and there was literally about eight inches between the two of them and we noticed the driver's door was open," said Ramsey County Sgt. Dan Loots.
The vehicle was found to contain equipment used to steal fuel from other cars, including hoses, empty cans and a generator.
"We've all dealt with siphoning with a tube. This takes it to a whole new level," said Ramsey County Deputy Steve Olson.
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office demonstrated the equipment. By just flipping a switch on the dash of the suspect's car a pump is activated near the fender. The tube then sucks gas from one tank, runs through the hose and into the suspect's tank. The process took 2 minutes, 28 seconds to siphon a 5 gallon tank of gas.
"This guy has what you call real self-serve," said Ramsey County Sheriff Robert Fletcher.
The suspect was arrested and is being held at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center, and was awaiting charges on possession of burglary tools.
According to Ramsey County authorities, the case marks one in a rising trend of gas thefts, which includes a spate of drive-offs at gas stations. There have been so many lately, police said, that a new program was initiated to prevent people from stealing gas at stations.
"Often times these people have warrants, are driving on a suspended drivers license or are tied to other crimes," said Ramsey County Sgt. Eric Bradt.
It's because of this new policy that police say some thieves have begun to get creative about how they steal gasoline.
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