PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (WPEC) — There are growing reports nationwide of people stealing gas straight from cars as gas prices reach record highs.
The good news is cars made in the 90’s or later are safe from siphoning. The old-fashioned way of sticking a hose where a gas pump goes doesn’t work anymore. Plus, many gas caps have to be unlocked by the driver.
But crooks are still finding away to steal gas.
Newer cars have a valve that relieves pressure in the tank, making it harder for people to steal gas. Thieves are using power tools to go around that valve by drilling holes under a vehicle and then waiting for the gas to drain.
Police warn of people using power tools to steal gas from your tank. This new method takes only seconds and ends up being something very costly for car owners.
A mechanic who spoke to WEPC said this could be dangerous.
“You can drilling it fairly easy but my concern is if you use an electric drill the electric drill will have a spark and eventually someone can compromise their life drilling out of the tank, unless they are doing it manually with a manual tool not to get burned. That’s going to also be difficult for them because vehicles are so low to the ground now,” says Angel Borges of Angel’s Auto Care Center.
According to AAA, some signs of gas theft is the strong smell of gas inside of a car, puddles of spilled gas left behind on the ground or a check engine light coming on.
Since cars are decked out the best they can be to protect the tank, the best drivers can do is make sure their vehicle is parked in a well lit area, preferably by a surveillance camera to deter crooks. Borges recommends parking by a loud dog or clearing out the garage to give your car a safe place to park.
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