Asheville Police Report Increase in Gasoline Theft Cases

Rising gas prices seem to be causing more people to consider stealing fuel instead of paying the higher cost of filling up their vehicles.

In the past three days, April 9 - 11, 2006, seven incidents of drivers leaving without paying for gas have been reported to police. The actual number is probably even higher because some of these cases are not reported to the Police Department, reports John Dankel of the Asheville City Police Department.

DO THE CRIME, DO THE TIME
Drivers should remember that North Carolina laws provide significant penalties for the theft of any motor fuel. Theft of fuel is a Class I misdemeanor. Conviction for this crime can result in a sentence of up to 45 days in jail and a fine to be determined by the judge. Also, convictions for motor fuel theft are reported to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, and under specified conditions an offender's license to operate a motor vehicle will be revoked. Drivers who obtain any motor fuel and then leave without paying should be aware of the potential serious consequences.

Businesses that sell motor fuels are urged to report these incidents. They should provide as many details as possible, including a description of the vehicle involved, a tag number if possible, and a direction of travel.

Gasoline retailers should also consider preventive measures, such as requiring payment before any fuel is dispensed into a vehicle. This simple procedure would eliminate virtually all fuel thefts.

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