Post by: Bob F. on June 09, 2008, 03:56:22 PM
INFO FROM A STATE TROOPER....PLEASE READ!!!!!
A woman said her son found his license plate missing so he called the
police to file a report. They told him people were stealing the plates
to get free gas. Given the rise in gas prices, people have taken to
stealing license plates, putting them on their car, then getting gas and
running. The gas station will have "your" license plate # and you could
be in trouble for "pump and run." Check your car periodically to be sure
you still have a plate. If you should find it missing, file a report
immediately!!! Keep an eye on your license plate! Make sure you always
know it's there! When the license plate is reported as the "drive off
vehicle", it's YOU they contact! Be aware!!!! Be aware of your license
plates, most of us never look to see if the plates are there or not.
Stay safe!
Bob
Post by: Mabs2 on June 09, 2008, 04:28:42 PM
At night to prevent theft, I weld the car to the ground.
Post by: Sergeant Bob on June 09, 2008, 04:32:18 PM
That's why I weld all of mine to the car.
At night to prevent theft, I weld the car to the ground.
At night to prevent theft, I weld the car to the ground.
But what do ya weld the ground to?
Post by: PTK on June 09, 2008, 04:33:52 PM
Post by: Manedwolf on June 09, 2008, 04:41:13 PM
They're on the catalytic converter heatshield, too.
Post by: PTK on June 09, 2008, 04:42:37 PM
Post by: Nick1911 on June 09, 2008, 05:22:24 PM
Yeah, good luck with that.
They're on the catalytic converter heatshield, too.
They're on the catalytic converter heatshield, too.
Nice tamper-proof torex. I prefer tri-wing myself.
Post by: Gewehr98 on June 09, 2008, 05:23:57 PM
Post by: Harold Tuttle on June 09, 2008, 06:31:00 PM
i need to repaint my bumper again
Post by: Perd Hapley on June 09, 2008, 06:37:22 PM
Yeah, good luck with that.
They're on the catalytic converter heatshield, too.
They're on the catalytic converter heatshield, too.
I got my tamper-proof torx set at Home Depot. Where do you park your jalopy?
Post by: Manedwolf on June 09, 2008, 06:43:25 PM
Yeah, good luck with that.
They're on the catalytic converter heatshield, too.
They're on the catalytic converter heatshield, too.
I got my tamper-proof torx set at Home Depot. Where do you park your jalopy?
Crackheads and people who think "stealing gas on camera" is a good idea usually aren't bright enough to buy a set, if they even know what they are.
Post by: 209 on June 09, 2008, 09:14:13 PM
It hasn't started up a lot yet, but we'll be seeing more siphoning going on soon. Be careful where you park.
Post by: Leatherneck on June 09, 2008, 11:53:00 PM
Quote
but we'll be seeing more siphoning going on soon.
Some aren't even bothering to try to defeat the anti-siphon check valves in newer vehicles. They're just punching a hole in the bottom of the tank and draining what they can take and running. SUVs are particular targets.TC
Post by: Firethorn on June 10, 2008, 02:27:39 AM
Quote
but we'll be seeing more siphoning going on soon.
Some aren't even bothering to try to defeat the anti-siphon check valves in newer vehicles. They're just punching a hole in the bottom of the tank and draining what they can take and running. SUVs are particular targets.TC
Makes me want to hook up a sparkler to the bottom...
Post by: LadySmith on June 10, 2008, 02:34:09 AM
The grapevine around these parts is saying parking lots, both public and private, are getting hit badly by siphoners. Stealing radios and such has now become an afterthought.
I took my car to the shop yesterday and noticed the majority of the cars parked outside had their fuel doors open and the gas caps were missing.
Post by: Jamisjockey on June 10, 2008, 02:55:02 AM
Locking gas cap, of course, but read on!!
INFO FROM A STATE TROOPER....PLEASE READ!!!!!
INFO FROM A STATE TROOPER....PLEASE READ!!!!!
That's enough for me to call bs there.....anytime the title is "please read"....someone made it up.
Oh, and around here, all pumps are prepay or CC pay at the pump.
Post by: Bob F. on June 10, 2008, 03:31:36 AM
JJ: I reprinted the e-mail as received, no idea where it originated. Probably didn't come from a state trooper, although the WVSP are pretty open and willing to give tips. I've often thought that any reasonably intelligent crook should steal and switch tags, would make staying undetected a lot easier.
Still don't pay much attention to my plates. I'll have to look into the Torx.
Bob
Post by: Jamisjockey on June 10, 2008, 03:45:53 AM
Quote
JJ: I reprinted the e-mail as received, no idea where it originated.
There was your first mistake!! Most of these emails originate from some obscure basement and begin circulating as fact. If its titled "please read" or "forward to 10 of your best friends" I'll delete it offhand
Fact is crooks have been stealing plates for a long time. Nothing new.
The only thing I'm worried about anyone stealing gas from is my new boat. 125 gallon tank....if someone were able to drain the whole thing....$525 if premium is used as reccomended.
Post by: Manedwolf on June 10, 2008, 04:01:25 AM
I don't recall ever seeing a pump-before-paying gas station out here.
The grapevine around these parts is saying parking lots, both public and private, are getting hit badly by siphoners. Stealing radios and such has now become an afterthought.
I took my car to the shop yesterday and noticed the majority of the cars parked outside had their fuel doors open and the gas caps were missing.
The grapevine around these parts is saying parking lots, both public and private, are getting hit badly by siphoners. Stealing radios and such has now become an afterthought.
I took my car to the shop yesterday and noticed the majority of the cars parked outside had their fuel doors open and the gas caps were missing.
All the stations here are now pay-first/pay at pump with creditcard or speedpass. A year or so ago, most let you pay after pumping. They have letters of apology on the pumps because of the number of drive-offs.
Unsurprisingly, most of the people caught for repeated drive-offs were coming up from Lawrence, MA, a place that would be improved by bulldozing it.
Post by: BryanP on June 10, 2008, 04:02:04 AM
Post by: cosine on June 10, 2008, 04:08:49 AM
Post by: taurusowner on June 10, 2008, 04:13:20 AM
Quote
but we'll be seeing more siphoning going on soon.
Some aren't even bothering to try to defeat the anti-siphon check valves in newer vehicles. They're just punching a hole in the bottom of the tank and draining what they can take and running. SUVs are particular targets.TC
Makes me want to hook up a sparkler to the bottom...
Post by: cosine on June 10, 2008, 04:16:11 AM
Quote
but we'll be seeing more siphoning going on soon.
Some aren't even bothering to try to defeat the anti-siphon check valves in newer vehicles. They're just punching a hole in the bottom of the tank and draining what they can take and running. SUVs are particular targets.TC
Makes me want to hook up a sparkler to the bottom...
It looks cooler anyway...
Post by: Balog on June 10, 2008, 04:32:15 AM
Post by: PTK on June 10, 2008, 04:59:26 AM
Quote
Lawrence, MA, a place that would be improved by bulldozing it.
Hey, I have family there!
...not that I'm disagreeing, mind you.
Post by: Balog on June 10, 2008, 05:37:46 AM
Quote from: MW
Unsurprisingly, most of the people caught for repeated drive-offs were coming up from Lawrence, MA, a place that would be improved by bulldozing it.
FTFY
Post by: Bob F. on June 10, 2008, 06:10:47 AM
Bob
Post by: Hawkmoon on June 10, 2008, 06:18:26 AM
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/autos/gastheft.asp
Post by: The Annoyed Man on June 10, 2008, 06:52:33 AM
It's gonna get a lot worse.
Post by: Gewehr98 on June 10, 2008, 08:54:39 AM
I almost wish somebody would siphon my gas tank, just to see how far they got with the stuff in their vehicle before it seized up.
Post by: The Annoyed Man on June 10, 2008, 10:53:03 AM
Post by: AmbulanceDriver on June 10, 2008, 11:02:21 AM
Post by: BlueStarLizzard on June 10, 2008, 11:19:15 AM
i would think that siphoning gas would be easier then running from gas stations. but, then again, i'm not a criminal, so who knows.
Post by: charby on June 10, 2008, 11:22:51 AM
Quote
Gas price side effect; ALERT!!!
The only alert I have is the fact my extra money each month has gotten smaller. $4.04 a gallon here for regular unleaded (87 octane non ethanol), $72.00 is what a fillup is going to cost me. In 2002 it would have cost $22.00.
Post by: Manedwolf on June 10, 2008, 11:51:12 AM
Quote
Gas price side effect; ALERT!!!
The only alert I have is the fact my extra money each month has gotten smaller. $4.04 a gallon here for regular unleaded (87 octane non ethanol), $72.00 is what a fillup is going to cost me. In 2002 it would have cost $22.00.
If they put those profanity-ticket things from Demolition Man on gas pumps, they'd make a fortune.
Post by: Dope on June 10, 2008, 11:54:47 AM
Quote
Unsurprisingly, most of the people caught for repeated drive-offs were coming up from Lawrence, MA, a place that would be improved by bulldozing it.
Agreed.
Dope
Post by: charby on June 10, 2008, 12:08:42 PM
Quote
Gas price side effect; ALERT!!!
The only alert I have is the fact my extra money each month has gotten smaller. $4.04 a gallon here for regular unleaded (87 octane non ethanol), $72.00 is what a fillup is going to cost me. In 2002 it would have cost $22.00.
If they put those profanity-ticket things from Demolition Man on gas pumps, they'd make a fortune.
Shush! Don't give any tax loving nanny controlling liberals any ideas.
Post by: Manedwolf on June 10, 2008, 12:27:54 PM
Quote
Gas price side effect; ALERT!!!
The only alert I have is the fact my extra money each month has gotten smaller. $4.04 a gallon here for regular unleaded (87 octane non ethanol), $72.00 is what a fillup is going to cost me. In 2002 it would have cost $22.00.
If they put those profanity-ticket things from Demolition Man on gas pumps, they'd make a fortune.
Shush! Don't give any tax loving nanny controlling liberals any ideas.
True, true...I've just never heard so much.
SUV parks, guy pays, locks pump on, goes in to get a drink. Comes back, looks at total, "HOLY F S F GD F-ING F!" It was like Jay in one of the Jay and Silent Bob movies. I'm surprised the gasoline didn't ignite from the sheer level of profanity.
Post by: Perd Hapley on June 10, 2008, 02:37:00 PM
I got my tamper-proof torx set at Home Depot. Where do you park your jalopy?
Crackheads and people who think "stealing gas on camera" is a good idea usually aren't bright enough to buy a set, if they even know what they are. I knows it. Just messin' with ya. Since I got the tools, I might as well look into that for my own rides.
Post by: lupinus on June 10, 2008, 02:55:32 PM
Personally, I'd rather them just steal the damn gas the easy way then stealing my gas by cutting/ripping the filler neck or punching a hole in my gas tank.
Post by: Firethorn on June 11, 2008, 04:20:14 AM
SUV parks, guy pays, locks pump on, goes in to get a drink. Comes back, looks at total, "HOLY F S F GD F-ING F!" It was like Jay in one of the Jay and Silent Bob movies. I'm surprised the gasoline didn't ignite from the sheer level of profanity.
That's another thing you don't want to do today; I've read that 'pump stealing' is on the rise as well. If you leave your pump, you can expect somebody to pull up, pull the pump out of your vehicle and use it to fill up theirs before putting back in yours.
Post by: Manedwolf on June 11, 2008, 04:25:29 AM
SUV parks, guy pays, locks pump on, goes in to get a drink. Comes back, looks at total, "HOLY F S F GD F-ING F!" It was like Jay in one of the Jay and Silent Bob movies. I'm surprised the gasoline didn't ignite from the sheer level of profanity.
That's another thing you don't want to do today; I've read that 'pump stealing' is on the rise as well. If you leave your pump, you can expect somebody to pull up, pull the pump out of your vehicle and use it to fill up theirs before putting back in yours.
The hose is not that long.
Post by: Firethorn on June 11, 2008, 05:03:27 AM
The hose is not that long.
When I had my car, the hoses were long enough to stretch to the other side of the car, I didn't need to have the recepticle facing the pump. Was really useful when there were long lines, as my primary gas station is one way only.
If nothing else, they're long enough to stretch to the other side of the island, especially if the thief parks close.