Thieves in Maryland have devised a new, destructive way to get free gas. They’re drilling holes in gas tanks. In at least a dozen separate incidents since November, thieves caused thousands of dollars of damage drilling into tanks, sometimes for the sake of just a few gallons.
One thief drilled holes in 14 trucks at a Toyota dealership in Annapolis in early January, getting only 3 gallons per truck but doing more than $8,000 in damage, according to police reports.
Another targeted a well-lighted parking lot in Takoma Park at least seven times since November, police said. Gas tanks in Greenbelt and Waldorf also were drilled.
“We’re going to keep an eye on it, especially as we’re expecting gas to go over $4 per gallon,” said Andrew Gucciardo, a crime analyst with Takoma Park police. “We’re thinking this is going to be a trend.”
Gas theft is not only costly to the victim, but dangerous for the thief, said AAA Mid-Atlantic’s John Townsend. Drilling a tank of gas risks an explosion, though none have been reported so far.
“This crime could put motorists into harm’s way,” Townsend said in a statement. “A leaking gas tank can be extremely dangerous. What’s worse is the costly damages gas thefts leave. In the end, drivers aren’t only left with an empty tank but also with empty pockets after spending hundreds of dollars in repair costs.”
Police could offer no advice on how to avoid gas theft, though Townsend recommended at least parking in lighted areas and guarded garages.
“With this technique of stealing gas, there’s not a lot to tell people to do besides look out for people in unusual areas in usual times of day,” said Detective Amy Miguez of the Annapolis police department. “There’s not much you can do to prevent that besides keeping your vehicle in a locked garage.”
