Apr 26, 2006 9:45 pm US/Eastern
With High Prices, Thieves Get Gas To Go
by Walt Hunter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Police were called to a Philadelphia gas station after three drivers sped off without paying Wednesday.
Employees noticed the three drivers were using the apparent bogus credit card to fill up at the Sunoco gas station near Broad and Leigh around 8:30 a.m.
Once confronted by the station employees, the drivers fled the lot with $45 worth of gas.
"By the time we got outside to talk to them, the just ran away," said employee M.G. Ram.
Most gas stations require customers to pay in advance before getting fuel, but gas station owners say they are increasingly seeing more credit card fraud with rising costs.
Police say that if you intend to pay for gas with cash, be aware of your surroundings and do not leave your wallet or purse unattended.
With gas becoming more and more expensive, many customers are purchasing locked gas caps because many drivers are afraid that some thieves may try to steal gas from their tanks.
"With pricey gas, people are worried people might be trying to take their gas out of their tank," said Pep Boys manager, Kevin Louis.
Most drivers are not concerned with someone stealing gas but trying to stretch their own mileage by using additives in hopes of saving money.
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