You've probably heard about people stealing gas by driving off from the pump without paying. But now we're starting to hear reports of people stealing gas right out of someone else's car. In an exclusive 7 News investigation, we visited one neighborhood in hamburg that's been hit by gas thieves.
"The neighbors are telling me that they're stealing gas out of our vehicles," said Leonard Earley, who lives on Bell Drive in Hamburg. This is a quiet, close knit community in Hamburg-- so quiet, someone's been siphoning gas from cars without anyone noticing.
Several vehicles have been targeted on Morgan, Bell and Chapman in the past week or so. None of the owners were home to talk to us. Earley is one of the lucky ones. "I've been fortunate. They haven't grabbed me yet," said Earley. "I guess it's the price of the gas that's driving people to do this."
Hamburg Assistant Chief of Police Michael Williams said, "I think you're going to start hearing more of it."
Our 7 News investigation found that it's also happened in a nearby apartment complex, multiple cars parked close together make for easy prey. Hamburg police haven't received any official complaints about gas thefts --yet. But they want victims to report where and when it happens. "We can be more vigilant in the areas where crime may be taking place. We need to know so that we can react," said Williams.
Earley says he's never seen this sort of theft happen before. "This is new to me. I always thought you can't just can't syphon every gas tank. But I guess they must know. They're educated in the fact where - how to do this and what cars to grab."
It's not hard to figure it out. 7 News found several how-to's on YouTube.
There is one way to keep your gas tank from being drained. Locking gas caps are becoming hot sellers at auto parts stores. "A lot of people are ticked that people are siphoning gas, of course," said Mike Zimmer at Karstedt's Automotive Center in Hamburg. "You spend that much money on gas and it disappears."
These caps cost 15 and 25 dollars. When you spend more than twice as much to fill up your tank each time - it may be worth the investment. "It's going to escalate. I know it is," said Earley.
Police also advise you to park your car in a well-lit area at night, so thieves will stay away from it.
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