Slick thieves may be targeting your gas caps

June 11, 2008 - 1:48pm

Mark Segraves, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - With the price of gas at an all-time high, some people are learning the hard way that protecting your valuables now means protecting your gas.

On Monday morning, Capitol Hill resident Chris Frates got into his car only to discover he had been robbed - of gas.

"I came out to my car and noticed that the tank was half full," he says. "When I parked it, it was completely full because I was really happy that I had found $3.99 gas in Virginia - which I thought was a steal - so I filled it up."

Frates, a reporter for Politico, called D.C. Police to tell them someone had stolen a half a tank of gas from his car.

"[The officer] said, 'What? No way! They're stealing gas now?'" Frates says. "Even the jaded police employee who takes theft claims all the time was pretty surprised that people are willing to steal it right out of your car."

Frates is now shopping for a locking gas cap.

Despite sky-high gas prices, police throughout the region say they aren't seeing an increase in gas thefts or drive offs from gas stations.

Mark Segraves, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - With the price of gas at an all-time high, some people are learning the hard way that protecting your valuables now means protecting your gas.

On Monday morning, Capitol Hill resident Chris Frates got into his car only to discover he had been robbed - of gas.

Frates, a reporter for Politico, called D.C. Police to tell them someone had stolen a half a tank of gas from his car.

Frates is now shopping for a locking gas cap.

Despite sky-high gas prices, police throughout the region say they aren't seeing an increase in gas thefts or drive offs from gas stations.

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