Someone siphoned gas out of our truck

[klquinn]

Beware! My husband had a full tank of gas siphoned out of his truck sometime in the last 24-36 hours. He filled up before he came home a day or so ago and when he left for work today (12/20) he was empty. Gas door was open and gas cap was just hanging there. We're on upper Oriole so please, if you can, try to park where gas thieves won't have easy access to your gas tank! I'm hoping they try it to my car and put my diesel into their car and ruin their gas engine.  LOSERS!

[valeraxy]

I was hoping my first post would be more fun, about gardening or the first snowfall of the season or something - alas, we also had gas siphoned out of our truck. It was probably 3/4 full last weekend, and this morning a hole was punched into the tank and all the gas was gone. We're on upper East Canyon.

I am so mad right now, not only does the tank need to be repaired, fuel replaced, and the incident reported, but I don't feel all that safe in town anymore. I know it's happened before to others, and I have been reading the discussions about wanting a sherrif station up here, and various alternatives - but it's different when it suddenly happened to myself.

There are full-time residents around us, each with approximately 326 dogs that bark like crazy when we turn on our lights, or open a window, so I don't really know how this could have happened unnoticed. I feel that upper East Canyon is now officially a bad neighborhood.

Thanks for letting me vent.

[ChattyCathy]

Where at on upper East Canyon?  I'm at the top of East Canyon - and have a few of the dogs who bark when there's something to bark at. 

That's just terrible!  Do you know what part of the day it happened?

I was hoping my first post would be more fun, about gardening or the first snowfall of the season or something - alas, we also had gas siphoned out of our truck. It was probably 3/4 full last weekend, and this morning a hole was punched into the tank and all the gas was gone. We're on upper East Canyon.

I am so mad right now, not only does the tank need to be repaired, fuel replaced, and the incident reported, but I don't feel all that safe in town anymore. I know it's happened before to others, and I have been reading the discussions about wanting a sherrif station up here, and various alternatives - but it's different when it suddenly happened to myself.

There are full-time residents around us, each with approximately 326 dogs that bark like crazy when we turn on our lights, or open a window, so I don't really know how this could have happened unnoticed. I feel that upper East Canyon is now officially a bad neighborhood.

Thanks for letting me vent.

[luvithere]

Thieves!!!!  It angers me so. I am sorry to hear the bad news.

[Suhijita]

I think there are locking gas caps - another forum member mentioned something about this last year??

[Wrightwood]

I just bought a locking gas cap but it surely won't help a punctured hole in a gas tank.

[valeraxy]

I'm not sure, could have happened any time last week, day or night. Last week on Monday some teenage boy came down the hill between our house and the neighbor really early in the morning before the sun came up. It's not fenced so anyone can just walk through, and it could have been a school kid taking a shortcut or something so we didn't think anything of it (yet!). Next time I see someone strolling through our yard I'll get out my shotgun - shoot first ask later! (j/k)

[valeraxy]

I just saw that on another thread someone quoted my "Shoot first ask later" comment. It was pointed out by someone else that I was just kidding, but I would like to emphasize that I was really JUST KIDDING. In my mind I have done horrible things to this thief, but in reality if I saw someone lurking around I would probably say hi and do a little small talk and then chat with the neighbors so we can all keep an eye out. Maybe the best kind of neighborhood watch there is :)

[ForestGal]

My gas tank cover has to be released from inside the car, so if the car was locked, they would have to break into the car to get to the gas tank.  Fortunately, my car lives in the garage when I'm not using it.

I don't know if those things can be pried into from the outside or not.

[revash]

Bottom line, if they really want your gas, they will take it, whether you have a lock to the door, lock on the cap, or whatever.  As proof by previous post that they punctured the tank.  Fairly easy to do, with some of the cars having plastic gas tanks on them.  They can cut the hose from the underside too.  All fairly simple.  If they want it, they can take it.  There are only deterrents to help out. 
Me personally, I get to carpool, and have to leave my truck parked all day in the public eye.  My solution, I only put gas in when I need it.  My truck is always under 1/4 tank.  If I am driving further, I put what I need in it.  I haven't filled my truck up for 2 1/2 years now.  Only $20 at a time.  It works for me!

[Hillbillies]

Maybe we should tell these gas thieves that the best way to puncture a gas tank is by using a blow torch!

[luvithere]

Maybe we should tell these gas thieves that the best way to puncture a gas tank is by using a blow torch!

Good one, Hillbilly   

[Hillbillies]

Good one, Hillbilly  

Just trying to do my part by offering my meaningful, insightful and useful suggestions one day at a time....

[Hillbillies]

My solution, I only put gas in when I need it.  My truck is always under 1/4 tank.  If I am driving further, I put what I need in it.  I haven't filled my truck up for 2 1/2 years now.  Only $20 at a time.  It works for me!

Just some food for thought.  In the midst of some sort of disaster you won't be getting far... It is recommended that we have a car on hand with a full tank of gas.

[ChrisLynnet]

That is very true. I remember waiting in line for gas up here during the 2003 fires. I was sure relieved when I got to the head of that line and filled that puppy up. Of course, I was even more relieved that we didn't have to evacuate after all, but I was prepared -- had a full tank of gas, slept in my clothes at night, had the suitcases at the door, and was ready to toss the child, pets, and computers in the car. (In that order.)