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With gas prices on the rise, police are warning of fuel thefts happening across the metro. Criminals get under vehicles and drain the tanks. It has happened three times recently in Independence and Overland Park.On March 8 at 4:25 a.m., a man with a small gas can parks and approaches John Blaser’s truck.”Gets two gallons worth of gas, gets back in his vehicle and drives off. He was here for a total of four minutes,” Blaser said.Blaser said his truck had 34 gallons. He said the suspect took about two gallons and let the rest go down the street and into the storm drain.”I’d just like to talk to the guy,” Blaser said.”What would you tell him?” KMBC’s Brian Johnson asked.”Oh, there wouldn’t be much talking. It would be fist action,” Blaser said.Police said on that same night, another truck was drained just a few blocks away. Overland Park had a similar case three weeks ago.Christian Brothers Automotive in Independence said thieves typically target trucks, big vans or SUVs.”They have a lot of ground clearance. They have big fuel tanks. They are easy to get to. Easy to get out of,” said Tim Porter, of Christian Brothers Automotive.In the last six months, the repair shop has helped three vehicle owners after gas thefts. It’s something they saw in 2008.”It isn’t surprising to see it come back. I wish it wouldn’t. But we do see that come up when there’s a quick spike in the price of fuel,” Porter said.Repairs can cost from a couple hundred dollars to $1,000 or more. “Our recommendation would be to No. 1, park in the garage if you have a garage. I know that’s not available for everybody. But if you have a garage to put it in there,” said Officer Jack Taylor, of Independence police.No. 2, police recommend parking in a driveway and having adequate light.”The only thing I’ll say is make sure you’ve got some good cameras,” Blaser said.Blaser was able to repair his truck. He said he hopes the man is caught and that no one else gets drained.Police have not made any arrests in this case.
With gas prices on the rise, police are warning of fuel thefts happening across the metro. Criminals get under vehicles and drain the tanks. It has happened three times recently in Independence and Overland Park.
On March 8 at 4:25 a.m., a man with a small gas can parks and approaches John Blaser’s truck.
“Gets two gallons worth of gas, gets back in his vehicle and drives off. He was here for a total of four minutes,” Blaser said.
Blaser said his truck had 34 gallons. He said the suspect took about two gallons and let the rest go down the street and into the storm drain.
“I’d just like to talk to the guy,” Blaser said.
“What would you tell him?” KMBC’s Brian Johnson asked.
“Oh, there wouldn’t be much talking. It would be fist action,” Blaser said.
Police said on that same night, another truck was drained just a few blocks away. Overland Park had a similar case three weeks ago.
Christian Brothers Automotive in Independence said thieves typically target trucks, big vans or SUVs.
“They have a lot of ground clearance. They have big fuel tanks. They are easy to get to. Easy to get out of,” said Tim Porter, of Christian Brothers Automotive.
In the last six months, the repair shop has helped three vehicle owners after gas thefts. It’s something they saw in 2008.
“It isn’t surprising to see it come back. I wish it wouldn’t. But we do see that come up when there’s a quick spike in the price of fuel,” Porter said.
Repairs can cost from a couple hundred dollars to $1,000 or more.
“Our recommendation would be to No. 1, park in the garage if you have a garage. I know that’s not available for everybody. But if you have a garage to put it in there,” said Officer Jack Taylor, of Independence police.
No. 2, police recommend parking in a driveway and having adequate light.
“The only thing I’ll say is make sure you’ve got some good cameras,” Blaser said.
Blaser was able to repair his truck. He said he hopes the man is caught and that no one else gets drained.
Police have not made any arrests in this case.