Jul 14, 2008 7:32 pm US/Eastern
Sign Of The Times: Gas-Siphoning Crime On The Rise
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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By just flipping a switch on the dash of the suspect's car a pump is activated near the fender. The tube then sucks gas from one tank, runs through the hose and into the suspect's tank.
CBS
We all know filling up the tank these days can cost an arm and a leg! And get this - now there are thieves out there ripping you off - by stealing gas right out of your car.
So how do you protect yourself from this crime? CBS 2's Kirstin Cole has some hints.
Giant, hulking SUV's can be awfully hard on the wallet these days.
Now with gas prices approaching the $5 a gallon mark, some are resorting to crime just to fill up.
"It's as simple as cutting a garden hose, sticking it into a gas tank and sucking it right out," said Tony Ciccotelli of NAPA Auto Parts.
Ciccotelli manages a NAPA Auto Parts location in North Brunswick, New Jersey. One of the hottest sellers, he tells CBS 2? Locking Gas Caps. He recently had a car dealer buy more than 12.
"During the middle of the night someone siphoned $25-30 of their vehicles out of gasoline...that's a lot of money," said Ciccotelli.
Siphoning gas - it's a vintage crime from the 70's, back when cars were big, lines were long and gas was scarce. As gas prices rise, many fear so will the crime of stealing gas.
So experts recommend locking gas caps, parking in a locked garage or installing motion detector lights outside; leaving drivers with little recourse except to pull out their wallets one more time.
Even worse, some thieves are puncturing gas tanks, which can easily set you back $400 or more to replace.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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